A devastating accident unfolded on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway in the notorious Salgaa black spot in the early hours of Saturday morning May 25, 2024.
The accident, which occurred at around 3 am, involved a collision between a matatu belonging to the Eldoret Cross Roads Shuttle Sacco and a trailer.
Kenya Red Cross confirmed the accident at 3:42 am through a post on social media.
"A road traffic incident has been reported at Salgaa involving a trailer and a 14-seater matatu. Our first responders are en route to the scene," Kenya Red Cross wrote on X.
According to witnesses, the ill-fated matatu, travelling from Eldoret towards Nakuru, collided with the rear of a mobile trailer.
Four individuals, comprising three women and one man, succumbed to their injuries on the spot.
The remaining eight passengers sustained severe wounds and were promptly transported to Nakuru County and Referral Hospital for urgent medical attention.
"Eight injured people were taken to Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital, thanks to the joint efforts of the Kenya Police, Kenya Red Cross and well-wishers," Kenya Red Cross said.
Eight injured people were taken to Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital, thanks to the joint efforts of the Kenya Police, Kenya Red Cross and well-wishers.
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) May 25, 2024
As authorities conduct investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident, the bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the Nakuru County morgue, awaiting identification and subsequent postmortem procedures.
Salgaa black spot
The Salgaa black spot is a notorious stretch of road on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
This section of the road has been plagued by numerous accidents and fatalities, earning it a reputation as one of the most dangerous roads in the country.
Many crashes on the Salgaa black spot usually involve head-on collisions, rollover accidents, and trucks losing control.
Driver behaviour is also a major factor in accidents at this spot. Many drivers speed, overtake recklessly or fail to follow traffic rules, leading to collisions.
Similar accident
Early this month, three people lost their lives in an accident involving a 14-seater matatu and a trailer at Sobea along Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on a Saturday, May 4, 2024.
While confirming the unfortunate incident, Nakuru County Commander Samuel Ndanyi stated that the matatu was headed to Eldoret from Nakuru when it collided with the trailer which had veered off the road damaging its entire front part of the vehicle.