<<Print>>Joy News has learnt that the journalists who travelled with the president to Ho in the Volta Region Thursday had two close shaves before the accident that killed one of them.
Ghanaian Times reporter Samuel Nuamah died in the accident and several of his colleagues sustained various degrees of injuries.
Although some of them have been discharged, a few are still at the 37 Military Hospital receiving treatment.
Some of the victims have told police investigators, the driver was speeding beyond acceptable limits and was cautioned twice by some reporters before the vehicle’s tyre burst, causing it to summersault several times before landing in a swamp.
Family and friends of the remaining journalists recuperating at the hospital had gathered earlier to pray for their loved ones.
One journalist, staff of Accra-based radio station Peace FM, remains in critical condition but doctors say he is responding to treatment.
He is one of the seven victims of the accident still on admission.
Patrick Bidah reports for the Enquirer Newspaper and was trapped underneath the vehicle for about 10 minutes after it overturned.
He told Fred he is thankful to God that he survived.
Patrick has got stitches on his upper and lower lips and the fingers on his left hand are swollen.
He says although he feels some sharp pain in his chest, an X-ray conducted shows that he's got no fractures and doctors say he will be fine.
Two female journalists, TV Africa’s Mawusi Gbogla and Ghana Television’s Pascaline Adadevor were also on the bus when the incident occurred.
Both said they heard a sudden burst, then the vehicle veered off the road, somersaulted several times before landing in muddy waters by the side of the road.
While interacting with the victims, Fred came across a police investigator who was asking for an account of the incident from the journalists.
In his account, GTV’s Napoleon Atokito said the driver lacked experienced and yet was speeding.
President Mahama shortly upon hearing the news of the accident visited the hospital and assured that the state will bear the full cost of their treatment.
Meanwhile, the management of New Times Corporation called an emergency meeting to address staff on the passing of Samuel Nuamah.
Managing Director, Carol Annang said it was important for the workers to rally together and encourage each other because “we still have people going out on assignment and are very nervous and anxious so it is important that we reassure everybody that they have our support, we will make sure that all the necessary steps that need to be taken to ensure their safety on the job”.