Wreckages of a Toyota Probox and one of the motorbikes that collided head-on killing three people in Eldoret on October 17, 2020. [Stephen Rutto, Standard]
Three people, including two from a family, were on Saturday killed in a tragic road crash involving a car and two motorcycles in Eldoret.
One person was seriously injured during the 8.30am accident.
A Toyota Probox that was heading to Kiplombe estate from Eldoret town collided head-on with the two oncoming boda boda motorcycles in Kibulgeny trading centre.
Two of the victims, including a rider, died on the spot while another one was confirmed dead on arrival at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).
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The boda boda riders were each carrying a pillion passenger at the time of the accident.
Witnesses said the driver of the Toyota Probox lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road after hitting the motorcycles.
Jack Bitok, a resident who witnessed the chilling accident said the speeding vehicle was swapping from one side of the road to the other before colliding with the motorcycles.
Bitok said the boda boda passengers who died in the accident were Kiplombe residents who were heading to work.
“The vehicle seemed to be having a mechanical problem. It was speeding before colliding with the boda boda motorbikes. Two of those who perished are relatives,” the resident said.
Angry locals erected bumps on the road, claiming that eight locals have been knocked by vehicles and motorcycles in recent months.
“Eldoret-Kiplomber-Soy Road is a new road and no bumps have been erected. We have been asking the contractor to erect bumps to reduce speeding but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. We have mobilised stones and soils to erect bumps on our own to avert more deaths,” said Bitok.
Outgoing Eldoret West sub-county police commander Eliud Maiyo said they are investigating the circumstances that led to the morning accident.
Maiyo said a rider who survived the accident is battling for his life at the MTRH after sustaining serious injuries following the impact of the collision.
“Residents tried to save the life of one the boda boda passengers but was confirmed dead on arrival at MTRH. The vehicle and the motorcycles will be examined to establish the exact cause of the accident,” he said.
“Our preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle was speeding,” he reported.
He said the driver of the Probox sustained minor injuries and has been asked to record a statement.
