How hit-and-run victim died after Korle Bu, Ridge and Police Hospitals rejected him

A 29-year-old man has died following a hit-and-run crash at the Circle Overpass in Accra after reportedly being turned away by three major hospitals due to the unavailability of bed space.

The victim, Charles Amissah, an engineer at Promasidor Ghana Limited, makers of Cowbell milk and other food products, was involved in the crash on February 6, 2026.

Emergency Response

At 10:32 p.m., Ambulance 15 under Charlie Watch received a walk-in alert about the incident. The crew mobilised a minute later and arrived at the scene at 10:35 p.m., where Amissah was found lying supine on the road with profuse bleeding from a deep shoulder laceration.

Initial vital signs recorded at 10:36 p.m. showed:

Blood Pressure: 120/90 mmHg

Pulse: 100 beats per minute

Respiratory Rate: 25 breaths per minute

Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂): 99%

Temperature: 36.4°C

The EMS team controlled the bleeding using gauze bandages, applied a cervical collar, log-rolled him onto a spine board, and initiated oxygen therapy via nasal prongs at four litres per minute. Vital signs were monitored every five minutes as he was prepared for hospital transfer.

Hospital Transfers and Rejections

At 10:40 p.m., the ambulance departed for Police Hospital, arriving three minutes later. The facility reportedly declined to admit Amissah, citing no available beds. Even the offer to use the ambulance trolley was rejected due to lack of space.

The crew then transported the patient to Ridge General Hospital, arriving at 10:58 p.m., where he was again refused admission for the same reason.

At 11:20 p.m., the ambulance reached Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Staff there allegedly instructed the crew to continue to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).

The EMS team objected, warning that further transport could endanger the patient’s life. Despite negotiations, no hospital staff attended to the patient or reassessed his condition.

Cardiac Arrest and Death

While still at Korle Bu, Amissah’s condition deteriorated, and he went into cardiac arrest. CPR was administered immediately but was unsuccessful. The patient reportedly presented with fixed, dilated pupils, cold skin, and no signs of life.

A doctor on duty later certified him dead and instructed the ambulance crew to convey the body to the mortuary. The EMS team transported the body at 12:50 a.m., handing it over to the appropriate authorities at 12:53 a.m. The ambulance returned to base at 2:33 a.m.

Implications

The circumstances surrounding the hospital rejections and the patient’s subsequent death have prompted scrutiny of emergency admission protocols, bed capacity management, and the responsiveness of major referral hospitals in Accra.