A catastrophic road disaster was narrowly averted on Friday, November 28, when a school bus carrying 83 students and five teachers from Wesley Grammar School burst into flames near the Kasoa Tollbooth.

Through the quick reflexes of the accompanying staff, all 88 occupants managed to evacuate the vehicle moments before it was completely consumed by fire.

No injuries were reported in the dramatic incident.

The school contingent was en route to Ngleshie Amanfro Senior High School to participate in a crucial sporting event when the emergency unfolded on the busy highway.

Quick Action Saves 88 Lives

The incident began suddenly, with the first sign of trouble being a plume of smoke from the vehicle.

The rapid response of the supervising teachers proved decisive in preventing a tragedy.

Richard Boafo, a sports teacher who was accompanying the students, recounted the terrifying sequence of events, emphasising the speed with which they had to act.

“Once we saw the smoke, we had all the students move out without delay. Thankfully, all 83 students and five teachers escaped safely. Unfortunately, the bus was completely destroyed by the fire.”

The evacuation, involving 83 minors, was completed in seconds—a critical window that ensured not a single person suffered even minor smoke inhalation or burn injuries, despite the bus being fully engulfed almost immediately afterward.

Total Loss: Bus Reduced to Ashes

While the lives of the passengers were saved, the vehicle itself—a key asset for the school's transport needs—was a total loss.

Eyewitness reports from the Kasoa area confirmed that the bus was reduced to charred wreckage, highlighting the intensity of the blaze and the severity of the malfunction.

Authorities, including the Ghana National Fire Service, have since launched an investigation to determine the definitive cause of the fire.