A potential mass-casualty disaster was narrowly averted on Friday, November 28, when a school bus carrying 83 students and five teachers from Wesley Grammar School erupted into flames near the Kasoa Tollbooth. Thanks to the swift action of accompanying staff, all 88 passengers evacuated moments before the bus was completely consumed by fire.
The group was travelling to Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School to participate in a sporting event when the dramatic incident unfolded on the busy highway.
Teachers’ Quick Response Saves Dozens of Lives
According to eyewitness accounts, the emergency began when smoke started billowing from the moving vehicle. Sensing imminent danger, supervising teachers immediately ordered all students to disembark.
Sports teacher Richard Boafo, who was on board, described the tense moments:
“Once we saw the smoke, we had all the students move out without delay. Thankfully, all 83 students and five teachers escaped safely. Unfortunately, the bus was completely destroyed by the fire.”
The evacuation, carried out within seconds, ensured that not a single child or teacher suffered smoke inhalation, burns, or injuries, even though the bus became fully engulfed shortly afterward.
Bus Completely Destroyed in Intense Blaze
The school bus, an essential transport resource for Wesley Grammar School, was reduced to ashes. Eyewitnesses reported that flames rapidly swallowed the vehicle, leaving behind only charred metal.
Footage from the scene shows the bus entirely burnt out, underscoring the severity of the mechanical failure or electrical fault believed to have sparked the fire.
Authorities Launch Investigation
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has commenced a full investigation to uncover the exact cause of the blaze. Preliminary findings are expected to determine whether the fire was due to electrical malfunction, fuel leakage, or inadequate maintenance.
Meanwhile, parents, school authorities, and the general public have praised the teachers for their decisive actions, which prevented what could have been one of the deadliest school transport disasters in recent years.
