One person died on the spot while two sustained serious injuries on Tuesday afternoon following a grisly road accident that involved two trucks at Mabanga bridge few meters from Kipkaren market along the busy Eldoret–Webuye highway in Lugari Sub County.
According to an eyewitness, the accident involving a petrol tanker and a truck ferrying goods to a neighbouring country occurred at about 4 pm. The source told West Media that the driver of the petrol tanker who was travelling from Webuye towards Eldoret was overspeeding as he approached the bridge before he lost control and collided head on with an oncoming truck. The truck veered off the road before landing in the stream seriously injuring the driver. The tanker conductor died on the spot while the driver also escaped with serious injuries.
Combined efforts from area residents and passersby saw the trapped victims removed from the wrecked vehicle before police officers from Lumakanda and Turbo joined later and rushed them to Lumakanda Sub County hospital where they were still admitted in critical condition by the time of going to the press. Lugari Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD), Mr. Bernard Macharia confirmed the incident.
“Police officers rushed to the scene where with help from area residents and pedestrians managed to retrieve all the occupants, including one person who died on the spot,” said the police boss. The OCPD has appealed to motorists and all other road users to be careful while driving or walking along the highway especially at Mabanga, which is a black spot.
Area residents have also appealed for the construction of bumps along the sloppy road in order to tame overspeeding vehicles, which they alleged have claimed several lives. The deceased was transferred to Kipkarren’s Kimbilio Funeral Home in Uasin Gishu for autopsy