Curious onlookers mill around the wreckage of a matatu that was involved in a grislyaccident at Katito on the Katito-Oyugis highway on Saturday morning. A lorry rammed into the matatu dragging it for almost 100 meters. Six people died on the spot, with two others succumbing to their injuries at the New Nyanza General Hospital. PHOTO / FRANKLINE SUNDAY
By Frankline Sunday and Everline Okewo
Posted Sunday, March 18 2012 at 10:00
Posted Sunday, March 18 2012 at 10:00
Eight people died on Saturday after the matatu they were travelling in was involved in a tragic road accident near Ahero.
The eight were part of a group of mourners from Usenge headed to a funeral in Kendu Bay when a lorry that had lost control rammed into their matatu.
The casualties include a woman, her two brothers-in-law and their wives.
The accident occurred at 11:30 am at Katito, a few kilometers from Ahero town, Kisumu County and involved two lorries and a matatu.
According to the driver of one of the vehicles, David Lubembe, a lorry that was transporting fresh produce to Nakumatt stores in Kisumu from Kisii lost control and rammed into the two vehicles with the matatu taking the full impact.
“I saw the lorry losing control with the driver struggling to stabilize it as it swerved from side to side,” he said.
“I swerved to the right and the lorry brushed the side of my lorry and rammed straight onto the matatu behind me. The matatu was too close behind me and the driver didn’t see it coming.”
The lorry rammed into the matatu dragging it almost 100 meters before the two landing in a ditch killing six passengers on the spot. Two others succumbed to their injuries at the New Nyanza general Hospital in Kisumu.
Thirteen survivors were also rushed to the hospital, some in critical condition.
According to eye witnesses, the lorry was overloaded and speeding when it lost control.
Nyando OCPD Patrick Mbarire said it is still early to verify the cause of the accident, but stated that investigations are already underway.
“So far we are not certain of what exactly caused the accident and we are trying to locate the driver of the lorry who fled the scene,” he said.
The survivors are still at the New Nyanza provincial hospital where they are receiving treatment.
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