8 times people risked their lives for ‘free fuel, cash, and goodies’

In recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged after accidents involving fuel tankers, bullion vans, or trucks carrying valuable goods.

Rather than maintaining a safe distance, many people rush to the scene, eager to scoop up fuel, collect scattered cash or seize goods, often at great risk to their lives.

This phenomenon, mostly driven by desperation, greed and thrill-seeking, has led to tragic incidents.

The pursuit of quick gains and being the first to post on social media has overshadowed basic safety and humanity, as seen in a recent tanker accident video below.

Similar trends have been observed in countries like Nigeria and Kenya, where hundreds have died in fuel-related accidents.

As these dangerous behaviours become increasingly common, it raises critical questions about the societal implications of this growing trend.

In this article, The Ghana Report brings to the fore some of these isolated incidents.

Below are some of the reports.

Konongo tanker accident

In July 2024, several residents in Konongo and adjoining communities risked their lives to fetch fuel gushing out of a crashed tanker.

The tanker, which was carrying 54,000 litres of diesel from Accra to Kumasi, collided with a taxi and a Nissan Patrol vehicle.

The accident resulted in injuries, with the tanker driver, his mate, and the taxi driver sustaining minor injuries.

Kumasi-Accra tanker accident

Before that incident, a similar case was reported at Ohene Nkwanta and adjoining communities in June 2024, where residents risked their lives to fetch fuel from a crashed tanker.

It was after a head-on collision involving the tanker transporting diesel and a Toyota Camry near Konongo on the Kumasi-Accra highway.

According to eyewitness accounts, the residents forcefully opened the tanker’s compartments and began siphoning the diesel despite the presence of soldiers and police.

The tanker was carrying 36,000 litres of diesel from Accra to Kumasi.

The accident claimed a life and left two persons injured.

Kaase tanker accident

‘This is our cocoa season’—Kaase residents could be heard saying as they rushed for fuel from a tanker that had overturned.

In May 2022, several residents of Kaase in the Ashanti Region put themselves in harm’s way in a bid to siphon fuel from the tanker.

The fuel tanker was carrying 54,000 litres of diesel and heading to the Ashanti Regional Depot of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transport Company (BOST) at Kaase.

Some of the residents are said to have sold the fuel for GH₵40 per gallon instead of GH₵50 after siphoning from the fallen tanker.

Lepusi tanker accident

In December 2022, a fuel tanker heading towards Bimbilla crashed into a police barrier at Lepusi in the Nanumba North municipality in the Northern region.

The tanker somersaulted after the incident, and its contents spilled onto the road.

Instead of running for their lives, residents decided to scoop the fuel into jerricans and other containers.

The driver of the tanker told the media that he lost control upon reaching the barrier.

Asukawkaw Mountain accident

In August 2021, residents close to Asukawkaw Mountain scrambled for soft drinks following an accident involving a trailer.

Although the driver and his mate lost their lives in that tragic accident, residents still went in search of assorted drinks.

The residents were seen parking the goodies onto tricycles, baskets, basins, and sacks for easy conveyance.

The truck had veered off and plunged into a ravine.

Some of the residents who spoke to the media disclosed that the scramble was to prevent the drinks from going to waste.

Others said they wanted to start their businesses with the booty.

“One man’s misfortune is a fortune for the other,” they said.

Accra-Tema Motorway accident

In September 2020, there was a mad rush for ‘beer’, an alcoholic beverage produced by the Accra Brewery Limited, Accra.

According to witnesses, the truck carrying a variety of alcoholic beverages veered off its lane after it tried to dodge a vehicle ahead of it, ending up in a ditch.

Following the accident, some residents capitalized on the accident and stole some drinks, while others drank as many as they could lay their hands on.

Ho bullion van accident

In September 2020, there was a mad rush to steal some GH¢700,000 cash in a bullion van after it crashed in Ho, the Volta regional capital.

The bullion van belonged to Agate Dabot Company Limited and was accompanied by a police officer and a cashier.

But while on the Hohoe-Fodome road, the driver crashed into a motorcycle rider, killing him instantly.

Onlookers who witnessed the accident in a frenzied state pounced on the van and scrambled for the scattered cash.

Only GH¢218,232 was retrieved by authorities after the scramble.

Circle bullion van accident

In March 2012, there was chaos when a bullion van collided with a VIP bus at the Nkrumah Circle in Accra, spilling the money in the process.

Eyewitnesses say the bullion van heading towards Achimota somersaulted three times, exposing the money to the sea of pedestrians.

The accident occurred at the traffic light directly in front of the Vodafone Headquarters as the bullion van moved to join the main road.

The bullion van, with registration number GW 1847 S, was said to have been conveying money belonging to the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to the Bank of Ghana when the incident occurred.

There was a free-for-all scramble for the cash, which had scattered in the middle of the road, with some of the money seen flying away as aggressive commercial motorbike riders and other onlookers rushed to the bullion van to make away with bundles of cash.

What is the way forward?

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of rushing to accident scenes, particularly those involving fuel tankers, cash vans, and hazardous materials.
• Stricter Law Enforcement: Implement and enforce laws that deter people from looting or crowding at accident scenes. This could include harsher penalties for those caught looting or obstructing emergency services, as well as increased police presence at accident sites.
• Community Engagement: Work with local leaders, community groups, and religious organizations to spread messages of safety and responsibility. Community-driven initiatives can be more effective in changing behaviour, especially in areas where incidents are more common.
• Emergency Response Training: Equip communities with basic emergency response training so that they know how to react appropriately in the event of an accident. This can include first aid training and protocols for alerting authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands.
• Collaboration With the Media: Partner with media outlets to report responsibly on such incidents, focusing on the consequences of dangerous behaviour rather than sensationalizing the scramble for goods. This can help shift public perception and discourage reckless actions.
• Improved Infrastructure and Technology: Consider implementing technology such as GPS tracking and remote locking mechanisms for vehicles transporting valuable or hazardous goods. This can reduce the likelihood of theft and discourage people from approaching accident scenes.