Five dead after a driver loses control of lorry in Murang'a

Five people, among them four women traders, died in a tragic road accident at Kagicha Market near the Nyeri/Murang'a counties boundary.

Three other passengers, including an expectant woman, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Nyeri referral hospital after receiving first aid from a good Samaritan.

The five were travelling in a lorry from the busy Kiria-ini market in Murang'a to Kagicha Market in Othaya, when the driver lost control of the vehicle as it attempted to climb a hill.

According to witnesses, the lorry lost momentum as it was going uphill resulting to the accident.

The truck, which was loaded with bananas among other farm produces, was destined to Kagicha Market when the accident occurred near Mung'athia area.

Mathioya deputy county commissioner Charles Laboso said those who died are four females and a male.

The passengers are reported to have attempted to jump off the truck for their safety, when they realised the driver was struggling to control the vehicle.

"They jumped off the overloaded truck trying to save their lives, unfortunately the five who lost their lives were unable to do so while those who jumped were left nursing serious injuries," the administrator explained.

Speaking on phone, Laboso said the truck was overloaded with farm produce and was not authorised to carry passengers.

"It is traffic offence for a truck loaded with goods to be turned into a public service vehicle with passengers on board," said Laboso.

He said police have launched investigations in a bid to establish the cause accident.

The driver escaped unhurt while his turn boy was not lucky and died on the spot.