A driver of a truck died on the spot on Monday morning while his co-driver escaped with serious injuries after their vehicle plunged into a river at Nzoia bridge near Chimoi trading centre along the Webuye–Eldoret highway in Matete Sub County. The truck was heading to Mombasa.
The driver is said to have lost control after dozing off behind the wheel, and the truck veered off the road in the early morning incident.
Confirming the incident, Matete police boss Justus Maina said one of the trailers on the truck was hauled into the river as a result of the accident.
“We suspect the driver was feeling sleepy and could have dozed off, prompting the truck to swerve and plunge into the river that is barely one kilometre from Chimoi trading center,” said Maina.
He said the truck was transporting animals feeds meant for exportation from neighbouring Uganda when the accident occurred.
“Fortunately there were no vehicles approaching. If it were so the situation could be worse right now,” said Maina.
The accident caused a heavy traffic snarl up along the busy highway as some residents tried frantically to free the survivor from the wreckage and remove the body of the deceased too.
“The survivor was rushed to a nearby Webuye hospital for medical attention while the body of the driver was taken to the hospital mortuary in Bungoma County,” said Maina.
He warned drivers against speeding along the highway which has become notorious and has led to accidents involving trailers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
Mr Maina said motorists who continue violating traffic rules will face the full force of the law. “We shall not sit and just watch as rogue drivers cause accidents that could be avoided,” he argued.