Tragedy after ambulance with driver and nurse aboard is washed away by floods in Laikipia

Residents of Soitoudo area in Doldol inspects a wreckage of Laikipia County ambulance which was on Friday night swept away by flash floods with its driver, John Sarioyo and a nurse, Ms Mary Chebet on board. Kenya Red Cross Society officials, police and members of the public launched a massive search for the bodies of the two, while the wreckage of the ambulance was recovered about 300 metres downstream on November 21, 2015. PHOTO: JOB WERU/STANDARD

LAIKIPIA: An ambulance driver and a nurse are feared to have perished in flash floods in Doldol, Laikipia North when they were swept off while crossing a sub-surface river.

The two were in an ambulance belonging to the Laikipia County Government which was washed some 300 metres downstream by the floods.

The driver identified as John Sarioyo and a nurse identified as Mary Chebet were travelling back to Doldol township from Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital where they had taken a pregnant woman who developed complication while being treated at the Doldol District Hospital.

Laikipia County Executive in Charge of Health Dr Njoroge Wangui said the duo managed to save the pregnant woman's life but perished on the journey back to Doldol District Hospital where they are stationed.

"When heading back to Doldol, they discovered the Loisokut River had swollen but appear to have still attempted to cross," said Dr Wangui.

Mr Francis Mepukori, a resident told The Standard that the driver managed to drive across the flooded rover, but the vehicle got stuck at the banks.

"He called several people, and Chebet also telephoned her colleague identified as Sarah Gakii informing her that they got stuck in the mud after crossing the river," he said.

He said it is believed the flash floods were caused by heavy rains that pounded the upper part of Doldol and the neighbouring Isiolo County.

Mepukori noted that as they waited to be evacuated, flash floods hit the vehicle and dragged it for more than 300 metres downstream in the rocky valley.

Wangui said a rescue mission was launched immediately by members of the public, national and County government officials, but the waters were very rough.

"They could not find the vehicle until the following day when they found the wreckage of the vehicle. It is unfortunate that the duo may have been hurled outside the vehicle and washed away downstream," said the County official.

When The Standard arrived at the scene, we found a long queue of vehicles which were waiting for water to subside for them to cross.

Mr Anthony Kuria, a KRCS official said the search team had covered more than 50 kilometres downstream and were yet to trace the bodies.

"We have received aerial support from a private helicopter services company who directed us to a dam around Kipsing area in Isiolo County and that is where we are heading," said Kuria.

The incident occurred a week after another woman was washed away as she attempted to cross the sub-surface river, at the same spot.

Kuria said the woman's body has not been recovered.