General News of Wednesday, 19 August 2009

Source: GNA

Four people feared drown in Volta lake at Krachi

Kete-Krachi, Aug. 19, GNA - Four people are feared drowned on the Volta Lake on Monday evening, when the motor boat on which they were travelling from Kete-Krachi to Nkombi in the Brong Ahafo, capsized. It is believed that a nursing mother with her baby fastened behind her and two other children have been missing since the boat accident. Search parties mobilised so far to look out for floating bodies around the adjoining banks of the accident area has not been successful. Mr Serum Door, operator of the accident boat, speaking from his hospital bed at the Kete-Krachi District Hospital told the Ghana News Agency that he and his family of five were returning to Nkombi after taking them to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme at Kete-Krachi when the accident occurred.

He said shortly after about 30 minutes into the journey, which they started about 1700 hours, a fishing net entangled the propeller of the boat carrying a total of ten passengers, which he tried to disentangle.

Mr Door said used the paddles to control the boat to berth at a safer bank until a strong windstorm accompanying last Monday evening's torrential rains forced the boat to capsize.

He said two other nursing mothers, including his wife and their infants were rescued after the accident, but his nine-year-old boy and five-year-old girl could not make it. Ms Victoria Came, acting matron of the K ete-Krachi hospital said Mr Door was brought to the hospital unconscious on Monday evening but was responding to treatment.

Togbe Way Dodo, Bator Community Chief in Kete-Krachi at the head of the search party said a report on the accident has been made to the Police. 19 Aug. 09