Trotro Crashes into Tafo Zongo Mosque After Brake Failure
Residents of Tafo Zongo in Kumasi were thrown into panic on Thursday evening when a trotro with a brake failure careened down a steep road and crashed into the 45 Mosque.
The incident occurred around 8:15 pm as the vehicle, with registration number AS 999010, descended from the Tafo Methodist Church area towards Zamfara. Eyewitnesses reported that people scattered in fear as the trotro gained speed.
The vehicle ultimately slammed into the section of the mosque used for ablution, causing damage to the structure. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
“It was terrifying,” recounted an eyewitness. “A man was lying down exactly where the car ended up, but people screamed for him to run, and he managed to get away just in time.”
This is reportedly the fifth time a vehicle has experienced brake failure on this particular stretch of road. Residents recall a tragic incident where a young boy was fatally struck by a vehicle in a similar situation.
“We are tired, frustrated, and scared,” a local resident expressed. “This keeps happening, and we fear for our lives.”
The driver, identified as 25-year-old Amampanah Ayimini, explained that he had dropped off his conductor near the Methodist Church to make a purchase and was on his way to a washroom when the brakes failed. “There is nothing wrong with the car,” he insisted. “When it happened, even the gear wasn’t working.”
The trotro, visibly old and showing signs of wear, sustained significant damage in the crash. Residents are now appealing for the immediate installation of stronger speed bumps to mitigate the danger posed by speeding vehicles, especially during peak pedestrian hours in the evenings.
“We never imagined a car could crash into the mosque,” another resident said with relief. “Luckily, the children hadn’t been dismissed from their evening Islamic studies. It would have been a disaster.”
More than five hours after the incident, residents remained at the scene, discussing potential solutions to prevent future accidents and safeguard the community.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
