Three passengers killed, 14 injured after bus rams into stalled lorry along Argwings Kodhek Road
Three passengers were Tuesday killed while 14 others were injured when a speeding bus rammed into a stalled lorry along Argwings Kodhek Road in Nairobi.
Police and witnesses said the accident happened at a drift near the Argwings Kodhek/Oledume Road junction.
It also caused a huge traffic jam as rescuers rushed to rescue those trapped.
This was after a lorry that was carrying construction materials stalled at the drift while headed for Kawangware direction.
Police said a bus that was carrying passengers headed for Kawangware and on high speed rammed onto the lorry killing two passengers on the spot. A third person succumbed to the injuries in hospital.
The lorry had developed mechanical issues forcing it to stall at the scene. It remained at the scene for hours without being removed leading to the accident, other road users said. The driver of the lorry had escaped the scene.
The injured were rushed to hospitals with multiple bodily injuries, police said.
Police said they are investigating the accident to take necessary action. The police were looking for the driver of the lorry. This was after it emerged he did not place a sign to warn oncoming vehicles the lorry had stalled.
This is the latest such deadly accident amid efforts to address the trend.
On Tuesday, at least 13 people were killed in separate reported accidents in the country, police said.
They included five pedestrians, three riders, three passengers and two drivers. Police said 18 people sustained serious injuries in the accidents were admitted to separate hospitals.
Fatal accidents have been on the rise amid campaigns to address the menace. More than 300 people died in accidents between January 1 and 25. Police said more than 600 were injured in the incidents.
Police blame among others speeding and faulty vehicles for the accidents.
Mechanical failures from poorly maintained vehicles, including worn tyres and faulty brakes, have also been identified as significant contributors to the growing number of crashes. In addition to driver negligence, poor road conditions such as potholes, confusing signage, and inadequate lighting make travel increasingly hazardous.