Two people died yesterday when a light aircraft crashed in the Port City, Tema.
The tragic accident occurred at the TMA Daycare Centre at Site 17, Community One, with the casualties on board the aircraft.
The deceased were partially burnt after the aircraft, with registration number 9G-ADV, crash-landed on the school’s premises and burst into flames.
However, none of the learners was impacted by the incident.
Briefing the media, the Tema Regional Public Relations Officer for the Ghana National Fire Service, Divisional Officer Grade II Ebenezer Yenzu, said the incident was reported around 12:59 p.m.
He said firefighters rushed to the scene and discovered that the aircraft had fallen near the preschool’s boundary wall, sparking a blaze.
“Our teams, together with some residents who rushed to the scene, worked to douse the fire and secure the area to prevent further hazards,” he said.
“By the time we arrived, teachers and pupils had safely evacuated the school, and thankfully, no pupils or staff were harmed,” he added.
DOII Yenzu added that the bodies of the two people on board were recovered and sent to the mortuary by the police for preservation and autopsy.
The site was then cordoned off to allow for a thorough investigation, while authorities awaited aviation experts to determine how the aircraft ended up crashing into the school premises.
“The cause of the accident and the origin of the aircraft are still under investigation,” Mr Yenzu said, adding that the Ghana National Fire Service would continue working with relevant agencies to unravel the circumstances behind the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Eyewitness
Meanwhile, some residents who rushed to the scene told the Daily Graphic that they saw the white aircraft hovering in the sky before it was suddenly seen coming down.
Sadik Abdulai, one of the first responders, said he and others quickly rushed to the site.
Investigators gathering information
Drawing water from a reservoir, he said they began dousing the flames before the fire service could arrive.
“We acted swiftly to ensure the safety of those trapped inside the aircraft and to secure the pupils, some of whom were waiting in the compound,” he said.
“Our priority was to move the children away from the flames,” he said, indicating that they carried the children to safety while “trying to prevent the fire from spreading further.”
GCAA statement
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, later in the day, issued a statement, confirming knowledge of the incident.
The statement, issued on the authority’s letterhead but without a specific official’s signature, said the aircraft was flying from Ho to Accra, “estimating Accra at 1520 Z”.
“The last contact with the aircraft on radio was 1418 Z.
There were two persons on board. Further details will be provided in due course,” it added.
Writer’s email:
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh