2 killed on the spot after vehicles plunge into Athi River on Mombasa Road

By Christine Musa

Two people died on the spot, whereas two others sustained serious injuries after a commercial truck and a pick-up hurtled off Mombasa Road and plunged into Athi River on Friday, January 24.

Eye witnesses told K24 Digital that the truck, which was headed to Nairobi from Mombasa, rammed the pick-up on the rear, causing it to hit River Athi bridge rails before plummeting into the waterway.

The truck, which had the driver as the only occupant, also fell off the bridge into the river.

The pick-up, police said, had two occupants on board, who died on the spot.

The truck driver sustained minor injuries, and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

During the accident, a school van, which was also on the bridge, was rammed and pushed against the bridge rails.

Only the driver, who suffered minor injuries, was in the bus.

Machakos Police Commander, Karanja Muiruri, confirmed the incident, saying the truck driver had flouted traffic rules, leading to the accident.

“After the crash occurred, several members of the public rushed to the scene, but, instead of engaging in rescue operation, they resorted to loot from the truck involved in the accident. We have arrested a few of them, all in the youth age-bracket, and will arraign them for theft,” he said.

The accident, which occurred Friday afternoon, led to a traffic snarl-up that stretched 5 kilometers towards Mombasa direction and an equal distance towards Nairobi.

As at 3:50pm Friday, the vehicles were yet to be removed from the river, with police saying cranes will be used in the recovery.

Details of the deceased and injured remain scanty.

More soon.