Four schoolchildren have died and three others sustained injuries after a Hyundai van veered off the road and struck them at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The children, pupils of the School of Islamic Studies at Akotosu, were reportedly waiting to cross the road after classes on Tuesday when the vehicle hit them.
The deceased have been identified as Juraid Mohammed, Anisah Ibrahim, Fati Muniru and Raiyan Faisal. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Manhyia District Hospital.
Two of the injured pupils, 12-year-old Laila Muniru and five-year-old Bushira Musapha, were reported to be in critical condition and referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
The third injured child, six-year-old Saisa Bila, was receiving treatment at the Manhyia District Hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
Eyewitnesses said the van was travelling from the Aboabo Post Office area towards the Airport Roundabout when the driver allegedly lost control while descending a slope.
The vehicle reportedly veered onto the pavement where the children were standing, hitting all seven pupils.
Officers from the Airport District Police Command responded to the scene, managed the crowd and cleared the road to restore traffic flow.
The driver has been taken into police custody, while the damaged vehicle has been impounded as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The bodies of the four deceased children were released to their families after identification, with burial arrangements being made in accordance with Islamic customs on Wednesday.
The incident has raised renewed concerns about pedestrian safety around schools and along busy roads where children must cross amid moving traffic.
Headmaster of the School of Islamic Studies, Bawa Abdul-Rahman, has appealed to the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly and other relevant authorities to construct a footbridge at the location.
He said the facility would help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of similar accidents.
Police are continuing investigations to establish how the driver lost control of the vehicle and determine the appropriate next steps.
