Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Ambulance Service, Paemt Sommik Duut Miilon, has warned the public against well-meaning but potentially dangerous interventions at road traffic accident scenes.
Speaking in an interview on Luv FM, Mr. Miilon emphasized that many accident victims lose their lives not from the initial impact, but due to improper handling by bystanders.
“Our priority is road traffic accidents, as victims need immediate care. Often, fatalities result not from the injuries themselves, but from mishandling by people trying to help,” he said.
He cautioned that rushing to move injured persons without proper knowledge can worsen their condition or even accelerate death.
“In Ghana, people often rush to help accident victims, but sometimes it’s best to leave them alone until professionals arrive. Pulling someone out of a car can shorten their survival time from 30–45 minutes to just 5 minutes,” he explained.
Mr. Miilon provided critical first aid tips for bystanders and urged the public to use emergency lines responsibly to avoid prank calls and ensure faster responses.
“Bleeding is often the biggest killer. If someone is bleeding heavily from a limb, use a clean cloth to apply pressure. In cases of amputations, a rope can be used to tie off the limb to restrict blood flow. But if an object is lodged in someone, do not attempt to remove it.
And if a person is trapped in a vehicle, wait for the fire service to extricate them safely,” he advised.
