Ghana’s newly acquired train from Poland has collided with a lorry during a trial run in the Eastern Region, officials report.
The train reportedly hit the vehicle which was abandoned on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line, resulting in minor damage to the cabin.
The train driver, railway inspectors, and passengers all emerged unscathed, BBC reports.
Police stated that the driver of the abandoned lorry has been arrested.
The Ministry of Railways Development in a statement on Friday, Railways Minister John Peter Amewu said there was no one in the lorry when the accident occurred.
The ministry added that the lorry was not parked in a location designated as an authorised level crossing.
“Despite the immediate application of the emergency braking system, the train was unable to come to a complete stop before colliding with the vehicle,” it added.
Amewu described the incident on Facebook as “unfortunate, irresponsible, and unpatriotic!”.
The Ghana Police in a separate statement said Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspected driver left the truck unattended on the railway line, leading to a collision with the train.
The Police added that the investigation into the incident would continue, and ensure the safe operation of the railway system.
Ghana bought two diesel-powered trains from Poland to boost the railway transport system.The first new Diesel Multiple Unit train designated to operate on the new 100km (60-mile) Tema-Mpakadan line arrived in the country 14 days ago.
The railway agency chief, Yaw Osuwu, informed local media that the second train is slated for shipment in May, with an anticipated arrival in August.
Meanwhile, the initial train, comprising 12 contemporary passenger coaches, was undergoing a trial run on the new route designed to enhance public transportation and facilitate access to Ghana’s eastern corridor.
This railway line forms part of an extensive 1,000 km project aiming to link Ghana and Burkina Faso via the Tema port, according to reports from local media.
