The overturned wrecked vehicle which was ferrying prison warders and inmates to Meru Law Courts. [Image: Standard]
An inmate died while seven others escaped with injuries after a prison vehicle they were travelling rolled at Kathageri area near Thuci Bridge, Embu County on Tuesday morning.
Five prison warders sustained injuries. The injured warders and inmates were rushed to Chuka Referral Hospital for treatment.
Officer in charge of Embu Prison, Henry Ochieng’ said that the vehicle rolled several times as it went downhill.
"It’s sad that we have lost one inmate who was serving a life sentence. Other inmates and some of our officers sustained injuries at Kathageri. The road is steep and the driver lost control and rolled," said Ochieng’.
The officer said the inmates were being ferried from Embu Prison to Meru Law Courts when the accident occurred.
He said the driver who was severely injured was referred to Embu Level Five Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.
Alex Mugambi, the head of Tharaka Nithi Rescue Services, said they were informed of the accident at around 6.30 am and they rushed to the scene and rescued the injured persons and ferried them to the hospital. He said the inmate had died on the spot.
An eyewitness, Maureen Mwende, said the accident occurred in the morning when it was raining.
"The vehicle was speeding and it was raining, I think the road was slippery and it became hard to control the vehicle," she said.
The body of the deceased was moved to Chuka Hospital Mortuary.
