Driver in Nairobi train-bus crash charged

By Fred Makena

NAIROBI, KENYA: Bus driver in the Wednesday Umoja train crash has been charged at by a Makadara court.

The driver Edward Githae Wanjau appeared before the court on Thursday charged with causing death by dangerous driving leaving 12 people dead and a number injured.

He was remanded for seven days after denying charges.

Twelve people died after a train crashed into a bus at a busy level crossing calling attention to dangerous unmanned railway crossings.

At least 21 other passengers are in hospital with various degrees of injuries sustained in the 7am rush hour crash at the Mutindwa stage.

The bus driver is said to have ignored the blaring horn from the approaching train, which smashed into the vehicle and pushed it along the tracks for nearly 200 metres.

Witnesses said the bus stalled on the tracks and just before the impact, the driver jumped out and fled. He was arrested hours later.

About half of the terrified passengers of the 33-seater Umoinner Sacco bus registration KBQ 474C were caged in the deathtrap, one side of its body ripped off on impact.

Most of the survivors suffered deep cuts on their limbs and upper bodies sustained when they fell out of the wreckage before the train finally came to a stop.