No fewer than 48 people were killed when a truck lost control and rammed into other vehicles and pedestrians at a busy junction in western Kenya on Friday night.
Local police commander, Geoffrey Mayek who spoke after the accident on the highway between the towns of Kericho and Nakuru noted that, “So far we can confirm 48 dead and we are suspecting one or two are still trapped under the truck.”
The police commander said that another 30 people had been seriously injured and rushed to various hospitals for treatment,expressing concerns that death the toll could rise.
He added that, “We are suspecting a truck which was being driven… towards Kericho lost control and rammed into matatus (local minibuses) that were packed at a bus top, running over those matatus and injuring passengers and pedestrians who were standing by the bus stop.”
Also, a senior doctor at Kericho County Hospital, Collins Kipkoech, said that his facility had so far received 45 bodies while more victims were taken to other hospitals and the rescue is still ongoing.
Some local television stations in the country had shown the mangled wrecks of several vehicles at an area known as Londiani junction.
Local media reports equally observed that heavy downpours hindered rescue efforts.
A source present at the scene said that, “The truck was on high speed and it was hooting. It tried to avoid several vehicles before it came straight into the market.
“I have heard people say it is like it lost the brakes. But I don’t know.
“All I can say is that I am lucky to be alive because I saw what happened and I am alive because I ran, I am just lucky.
“I have seen a very bad scene, bodies and blood all over. So many people are dead.”
Another source said that, “The accident happened in a flash, many of them had no time to escape.
“There was a lot of confusion because people were screaming all over and everyone was running after the accident.
“It took some time before people gathered courage and started helping those injured.”
Government statistics indicates that the number of people killed on Kenya’s roads has increased in recent years.
In his condolences, Kericho governor, Erick Mutai said that, “My heart is crushed. It is a dark moment for the people of Kericho.
“My heart goes out to the families who have just lost their loved ones.”
He added that ambulances had been mobilized and all health facilities were on standby to attend to emergencies.
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