Three students killed in bus joyride

The ill fated St Marys Girls High school bus which killed three students on 12.8.2016. Three other students had their hands and legs amputated at Kisii level six hospital. 68 other students were admitted at the hospital. (Photos Eric Abuga/Standard)

Three students from St Mary’s Nyamagwa High School died and 68 others were injured after their new school bus was involved in an accident along the Kisii-Kilgoris road.

The accident happened at the Itumbe-Igare road off the Kisii-Kilgoris road as the students were returning from a short test drive to the nearby shopping centre to celebrate acquisition of their new bus.

The bus arrived in the school on Thursday evening and was to be launched by Principal Secretary Social Security and Services Susan Mochache.

Witnesses say the three students died on the spot. Casualties were rushed to Nyamagwa Dispensary but were later transferred to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.

A total of 68 casualties were received at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital with five critical cases sent to the theatre.

According to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Enock Ondari, those who are admitted include a teacher and driver.

Safety rules

“We have three bodies of students in the hospital mortuary and 68 other students are admitted to our hospital with soft tissue injuries. Three students had their hands amputated,” said Dr Ondari.

Witnesses say the driver was speeding before the bus lost control and rolled at the Nyambunde corner, a spot where 13 students perished in a grisly accident in July 2013.

“It appeared like the driver was not familiar with the road here. When it happened, some students managed to escape through the windows before the bus landed in a ditch. It rolled for almost ten metres away,” said Peter Mayaka.

Ambulances from Kisii County had a rough time accessing the scene which was packed with curious onlookers. Police had to be called in to calm the residents.

Kisii County Governor James Ongwae and his deputy Joash Maangi visited the scene and condoled with the families of the deceased.

“I appeal to all drivers to be extra careful. It is unfortunate that we are losing such young lives,” said Ongwae.

Senator Chris Obure and a host of MPs visited the scene and the causalities.

A Parliamentary committee that was on a fact finding mission in Kisii on road safety, had to abandon their activities to condole with the affected families. The committee led by Ibrahim Sane also visited the school which was closed later in the day.
The 47-seater bus was carrying over 70 students at the time of the accident.

The accident comes barely two days after one pupil died and seven were injured after their school bus overturned on Lang’ata road in Nairobi. A number of school buses continue overloading, speeding and flouting other National Transport and Safety Authority safety rules.