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Update: Two people killed, eight injured in Busia accident

The ill-fated bus that was involved in an accident in Busia.

By Mary Wambui | Friday, March 1, 2024

Six others have been hospitalized following the Friday afternoon collision at Mundika along Busia- Kisumu Road.

Two people died on the spot after they were burned beyond recognition following a road accident involving a Mombasa-bound bus and an oil tanker in Busia.

The deceased included the driver of the oil tanker and an unidentified person.

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Eight others have been hospitalized with burn wounds after the Friday afternoon collision at the Mundika area along Busia- Kisumu Road.

They include; the driver of the bus who sustained fractures on both of his legs, his co-driver who sustained head injuries and their conductor who sustained a dislocation on his left hand.

According to the police, the driver of the oil tanker, who was on the wrong lane, was travelling from Kisumu heading towards Busia direction when he collided with the oncoming bus carrying five passengers. The bus was heading to Kisumu to pick up more passengers.

As a result of the collision, both vehicles caught fire and two persons were burnt beyond recognition.

Their bodies were moved to the Busia Referral Hospital Mortuary pending postmortem and identification by relatives.

Eight others were rescued and rushed to Busia County Referral Hospital and surrounding hospitals.

They include; four Ugandan women and a Kenyan woman.

The oil tanker that was involved in an accident in Busia. (Handout)

Police have blamed the accident that occurred next to St. Jude primary school area around 1:30 PM on lane indiscipline, adding that close to five of the accidents that have occurred recently have been due to lane indiscipline.

According to NTSA, ten people were involved in the crash that claimed two lives and left eight others injured.

“Preliminary reports indicate lane indiscipline and dangerous overtaking by the tanker driver as the probable cause of the crash. Further investigations are ongoing with a multi-agency team. We condole with the families of the bereaved and wish a quick recovery to those undergoing treatment,” a joint statement by NTSA Director General George Njao and EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria said.

According to the latest statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), 649 Kenyans have died on the roads between January 1 and February 20.

The number is an increase compared to 623 who perished in road accidents last year.

According to the authority, pedestrians suffered the most casualties this year with 252 dying on the roads compared to 190 last year.

Fewer motorcyclists have perished on the roads this year (158) compared to (177) the same time last year.

Additionally, more passengers have succumbed this year (125) compared to 114 last year, less pedal cyclists have died this year (10) compared to 12 last year, pillion passengers deaths tallied to (61) compared to 71 last year.