A false fire alarm on a Takoradi-bound train Thursday morning triggered a stampede, injuring roughly 50 people.
The wounded, predominantly pupils from Bompeh and Adiembra Secondary Schools, suffered cuts on their arms and legs and were sent to Takoradi Hospital and New Takoradi Clinic for treatment.
The incident occurred about 7:40 a.m. at Takoradi’s Butuah Station.
Mr Thomas Brown, the company’s Public Relations Officer, explained that the Engine Master detected non-critical smoke from the train’s engine compartment when he arrived at Butuah Station.
He claimed that upon discovering the smoke he triggered an alert, leading the passengers to panic and run out of the train.
“The train took off from the Sekondi Station but what happened is that the Engine Master upon reaching the Butuah Station got down to carry out a formality of collecting a pass before moving on.
“While returning to the train, he saw some smoke coming out from the engine but some of the passengers also, upon seeing the smoke, raised alarm compelling the passengers to rush out of the train while the doors were locked,” he said in a radio interview on Citi FM.
“In the process of breaking the windows to get out, they sustained injuries,” he added.
Mr. Brown claims that the train in issue is still in operation, despite the fact that several of its windows have been smashed as a result of the chaos.
“Nothing got burnt and the train is moving. It is still in good shape. The only problem now is the broken glass which is unfortunate,” he noted.
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SOURCE: GRAPHIC ONLINE
