Two pupils of Alice Elites Academy, a preparatory school in Assin Edubiase, Assin South District of the Central Region, have died following a road accident involving a school bus.

The deceased, a boy and a girl, aged three and five respectively, were among more than 40 pupils travelling in a Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter bus, registration AS 2218‑20, when the vehicle left the road and plunged into a river on the Assin Kwafokrom–Homaho road.

Central North Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) Commander ASP Wonder Lumor confirmed that 40 injured pupils were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment.

He said 22 victims were taken to St Francis Xavier Hospital and the remaining 18 to the Assin Edubiase Health Centre.

"They loaded over 40 children in the sprinter bus, over 40 children were in the car so according to the investigation, when they were going, the drive loaded to the extent that some of the children were sitting by him.

"When you look at it, one was about to sleep and he wanted to attend to him and fell into a river so two of the children died and the rest were injured," he explained.

ASP Lumor added that all 40 injured pupils received treatment and have since been discharged to their families.

He also said investigations into the circumstances of the accident have commenced and that the school proprietor and other responsible persons could be held accountable if negligence is established.