A driver’s assistant on a commercial Yutong bus, Kofi Darko, aged 39, has died after he was crushed by the vehicle while attempting to repair a mechanical fault at Takoradi.

The incident occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2026, while the bus was parked at Abenbebom in Takoradi. Reports indicate that the deceased was working around the rear wheels of the bus when the vehicle moved and crushed him.

The driver of the bus, William Opoku Asare, said he was not aware that his assistant had gone to work on the vehicle at the time of the incident. He explained that a mechanic had been engaged the previous day to fix the same fault.

Mr Opoku said he had known Kofi Darko for about twelve years and described him as someone who was curious about mechanical work and often assisted mechanics when the bus developed faults.

He believes the assistant may have thought he could fix the problem on his own after working on it with a mechanic a day earlier.

“I had just returned from Accra with tourists to the Takoradi Harbour. I realised the bus had developed a fault, so I decided to address it at the Takoradi main station. The mechanic and my assistant fixed it together,” Mr Opoku said.

He continued: “We drove the bus from the station and parked it at Abenbebom. The next morning, I realised the vehicle was unbalanced.

“I phoned the mechanic about the new development, and he told me to start the engine and check for the leak. We found the leak, and I decided to rest while waiting for the mechanic to arrive.”

Mr Opoku narrated that, unknown to him, his assistant had gone to look for tools and attempted to fix the fault alone.

“He was alone, working around the back wheels, when he was crushed by the bus. Someone called and broke the news to me,” he said.

The Ghana National Fire Service was alerted and rushed to the scene, but Kofi Darko was already dead upon their arrival. Police officers later visited the area to conduct preliminary investigations.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital morgue. Mr Opoku confirmed that the family of the deceased has been informed of the incident.

He, however, expressed concern over delays in releasing the body for burial.

“The family in Kumasi says they will send a delegation to Takoradi to assist with the investigations and hopefully retrieve the body for burial,” he added.