Two chainsaw operators crushed to death in logging accident at Bekawopa

Two men lost their lives in a tragic logging accident at Bekawopa, a community in Twifo Hemang within the Lower Denkyira District of the Central Region, after a routine timber operation went fatally wrong.

The deceased have been identified as Yaw Asare, popularly known in the area as Tompuu and believed to be in his 50s, and Eric Teteh, aged in his 30s. Both men were known chainsaw operators who had worked in timber extraction for years and were familiar faces within the Bekawopa enclave.

According to preliminary information gathered from the community, the accident occurred deep within a forested zone where the two were cutting trees as part of their regular work. Witnesses say a large tree, which they had been attempting to fell, unexpectedly collapsed in the opposite direction from what had been anticipated. The sudden shift caused the trunk to fall directly on the operators, trapping them beneath its massive weight.

Residents who heard the crash rushed to the scene in an attempt to help. However, due to the severity of the impact and the position of the fallen tree, there was little they could do to save the victims. Efforts to lift or move the trunk were unsuccessful, and both men were found to have died instantly from the crushing injuries.

The police later arrived at the scene to begin formal investigations into the incident.

Forestry related accidents in rural communities often arise from miscalculations in the direction of fall, unstable tree structures, or poor visibility within dense vegetation.

The sudden deaths have left Bekawopa residents in grief, as both men were not only well-known in the timber trade but were also regarded as hardworking individuals who supported their families through their craft.

The community leaders have said the incident has renewed discussions about the need for enhanced safety measures and proper training for chainsaw operators who work in high-risk forest zones.

The bodies of the two victims have since been retrieved and deposited at the morgue as investigations continue.