Two teenagers who were crushed to death on Christmas Eve while riding on a tricycle have been identified.

The tricycle rider, Kofi Gyekye Jnr, 19, and his 18-year old pillion rider, Abdulai Moro were crushed to death on December 24, 2020 at the outskirts of Marbang near Barekese in the Atwima Nwabiagya district after the tricycle collided head-on with a DAF Crane truck.

The duo, who were transporting sawn timber from Offinso to Asuofua died on the spot after a failed attempt to overtake a vehicle ahead of them near a Goil Filing Station.

This was after the tricycle veered off its lane while ascending a hill on the Barekese-Kumasi road.

Eyewitness account say Gyekye and Moro had no crash helmet at the time of the accident which occurred on the eve Christmas.

The mutilated bodies of the two were sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation.

Ashanti Regional Commander of the Police Motor, Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), Superintendent Emmanuel Adu Boahen who confirmed this to JoyNews said the driver of the DAF truck with registration GT 4172-J, Agyapong Ibrahim, 38 was arrested and his vehicle impounded.

Suame Divisional police have since launched investigations into the tragedy.

The accident occurred in less than 48-hours after Mr. Adu Boahen announced plans by the MTTD to clamp down on commercial motorbikes and tricycle riders to curb crashes in the region.

It comes as 518 persons died in road accidents between January and December 10, 2020, in the Ashanti region, 167 representing 32 percent were killed by motorbikes and tricycles.

Accidents involving motorbikes and tricycles also saw a 20 percent increase from 872 in 2019 to 1,017 in 2020.