Over 60 workers escape death in Naivasha bus-train accident

Naivasha,Kenya: Over 60 flower farm workers escaped death narrowly after a bus they were traveling in was hit by train a few kilometers from Naivasha town.

Five of the workers from Avarta farm were left fighting for their lives following the late afternoon accident near Panorama hotel along the Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road.

Twenty four others were left nursing minors’ injuries in the accident that caused panic and anxiety around the lakeside town.

Emotions ran high as the injured were wheeled in Naivasha sub-county federal hospital by police and members of the public.

The accident occurred after the train that was heading to Kisumu from Nakuru hit the bus that was crossing the railway line.

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A witness Peter Muiruri said that the driver of the ill-fated bus was joining the nearby road when the hooting train hit the vehicle.

He added that the bus was dragged for some meters as the workers screamed before the train proceeded with its journey.

"The accident occurred very fast and in the process scores of the workers were injured some of the seriously," said the witness.

A worker in the bus only identified as Simon said the drivers view was obstructed by some trees leading to the accident.

He decried the status of buses used by flower farm workers adding that many were in poor condition and called on traffic police to act.

"We were leaving our working place and heading home when the accident occurred and in the process many of our colleagues have been injured," he said.

Naivasha deputy OCPD Agnes Ajamong confirmed the accident and the number of injuries adding that they were seeking the driver who escaped after the accident.

She said that the injured had been rushed to the federal hospital adding that the bus wreck had been towed to the railway police station.

"Five of the workers were seriously injured and another 24 received minor injuries and have been treated and discharged," she said.