Flyover accident leaves six dead, scores injured

Members of public mill around an accident scene at Kamandura area along Nakuru Nairobi highway where a truck ferrying saw dust to Nairobi lost brakes and rammed into two Nissan matatus injuring scores. [George Njunge, Standard]

Six people died while scores sustained serious injuries after a matatu was involved in an accident with a lorry along the along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

The matatu belonging to SWAT Team Shuttles Sacco was headed to Nairobi from western Kenya when it rammed the rear of a lorry near Flyover Trading Center killing five passengers on the spot.

The sixth victim succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at Naivasha Sub-county Hospital, where six other people, including two minors, were admitted in critical condition.

The driver of the ill-fated matatu was overtaking along the climbing lane when the accident occurred.

James Kabono from Naivasha Safety Group said visibility was poor during the 3.30am incident.

"The driver tried to swerve to his right, and in the process, the left side of the matatu was ripped off by the rear of the lorry, leading to the deaths of the passengers," he said.

Kabono said the occupants of the lorry, which was headed to Nairobi to deliver fresh produce, escaped unhurt.

Njabini OCPD Peter Nzimbi said the wreckage of the vehicles was towed to Magumu Police Station.

The whereabouts of the matatu driver remain unknown and the injured were admitted to Naivasha sub-county hospital.

"We had an accident where a Nissan matatu heading to Nairobi from Nakuru rammed the rear of a lorry, killing four women and two men," he said.

While calling for drivers to be keen, he said that sections of the highway were foggy in the morning and late in the evening, adversely affecting visibility.

The incident comes a couple of months after another matatu belonging to SWAT Team Shuttles Sacco was involved in a grisly road accident near Delamere farm in Naivasha, killing 11 secondary school students.

The students from Mbihi High School in Mbale, Vihiga county, were on their way to Nairobi for the holidays when the matatu hit a trailer.