Forklift Kills Pawpaw Seller

A roadside trader identified as Jennifer was yesterday crushed to death by a forklift at the Brewery Traffic Light in the Asokwa Constituency of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday, September 21, 2026, when the forklift reportedly developed a brake failure and suddenly veered towards traders operating around the busy intersection.

Jennifer, who was said to be selling pawpaw at the traffic light, reportedly became trapped under the moving forklift and was dragged along the road before she died at the scene.

An eyewitness, Ama Sefa, who was also selling at the location, said she and Jennifer were by the roadside while the traffic light was red.

She explained that when the traffic light turned green, they moved away from the road and waited for the traffic to stop again before returning to their trading spots.

According to her, it was during this period that the forklift reportedly lost its brakes and suddenly moved towards their direction.

Ama Sefa said she managed to run to safety, but Jennifer could not escape the path of the forklift.

“She was trapped, hit and dragged by the forklift. She died at the scene,” the eyewitness reportedly said.

The incident attracted scores of traders, motorists and other road users to the scene, with some reportedly expressing shock over the sudden death.

The accident also caused anxiety among traders operating around the traffic light, particularly those who routinely move onto the road to sell their goods to motorists when vehicles stop at the intersection.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged brake failure, including the condition of the forklift and the identity of its operator, were not immediately available.

The incident is expected to be investigated by the relevant authorities to establish what caused the accident and determine whether any mechanical fault or other factors contributed to the death.

The death of Jennifer has renewed concerns over the dangers faced by roadside traders and other vulnerable road users who operate close to busy highways and traffic intersections.