Bus driver flees after crash with matatu leaves six dead on Bomet-Narok highway
By Lucy Mumbi |
Initial investigations suggest the bus driver was reckless, overtaking other vehicles inappropriately, which led to the fatal collision.
At least six people have died and 16 others are critically injured following a horrific road accident on the Bomet-Narok highway on Saturday evening.
The accident happened around 6 pm at the Olonin bridge, involving a 14-seater matatu and a secondary school bus. The matatu, travelling towards Narok, collided head-on with the bus, which was heading in the opposite direction.
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According to police reports, the crash happened after the bus attempted an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre on vehicles ahead of it.
Three people in the matatu died instantly, while the injured were rushed to Ololulung’a Sub-County Hospital. Sadly, two women and a young girl succumbed to their injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
"At the scene, a school bus, registration number KDG 969 C, driven by Dennis Ongeri and belonging to Mesabisabi Secondary School, improperly overtook a fleet of unknown vehicles without due care and attention to other road users. This caused a head-on collision with the oncoming matatu on the bridge," reads the police report.
"As a result of the impact, three matatu passengers died on the spot. The injured were evacuated to Ololulunga Sub-County Hospital, where two women and a girl later succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment. A total of 16 people sustained serious injuries, while 10 others were slightly injured."
The bodies of the deceased were transferred to Narok County Hospital mortuary to await identification and post-mortem.
Police said the two vehicles involved in the crash were towed to the Narok South Sub-County police headquarters for inspection.
According to police reports, the bus driver fled the scene and is being sought for questioning.
Initial investigations suggest the driver was reckless, overtaking other vehicles inappropriately, which led to the fatal collision.
The tragic incident follows a separate crash earlier the same day in the Tegero area, also along the Bomet-Narok route, which claimed the life of a woman. Three other people were treated for minor injuries.
The accident involved a car heading towards Narok and an Easy Coach bus. A police report said the driver of the car lost its control, veering off his lane and colliding with the bus.
A recent government report highlighted a worrying increase in road crashes across the country.
Authorities have urged all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, to strictly adhere to traffic regulations, particularly as the festive season approaches.
To address the rising road safety concerns, the National Police Service (NPS) announced plans to deploy additional traffic officers to monitor highways and urban roads during the holiday period.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve road safety as vehicle numbers surge.
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