At least 40 dead in Sachangwan horror crash

More than 40 people died and tens of others sustained injuries in horrific multiple crashes at the notorious Sachangwan blackspot on the busy Nakuru-Eldoret highway and in a separate accident along the Kitale-Webuye highway.

The Sachangwan crash, which caused more than 20 deaths, happened yesterday morning while the Kamukuywa Bridge accident, which claimed 19 lives, occurred on Monday night.

The number of casualties appeared likely to go up by the time of going to press last evening. The Sachangwan accident left a horror scene and caused a major traffic snarl-up on the busy highway.

It involved more than 13 vehicles — including a Modern Coast bus that was headed to Kampala from Nairobi.

Others were two trucks, a Toyota Land Cruiser, two private cars, lorries, and matatus.

Police at the scene said they had counted 15 bodies as dozens of survivors were taken to MediHeal and Nakuru Level Five Hospital in Nakuru town.

At least 28 people, including children as young as two years, are admitted at the Nakuru hospital while a 10-year-old boy died on arrival at the facility. Witnesses said the truck was fleeing from National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officials when it lost control and rammed into other vehicles.

The scene of the accident is a few kilometres from Kamara area where seven artistes died on Saturday. They met their deaths when their car collided head-on with a truck.

Scores of people have died and many others sustained injuries in accidents along the nearly 20-kilometre stretch between Sobea and Kamara.

The notorious section stretches from Sobea-Salgaa- Migaa-Sachangwan-Total Junction near Mau Summit shopping centre to Kamara.

It also includes Jolly Farm and Mkinyai areas. Police boss Hassan Barua said bodies of 13 people who died on the spot were taken to Nakuru County Mortuary.

Bungoma North police boss Eliud Okello said 14 people died on the spot in the Kamukuywa Bridge accident, while Webuye Hospital superintendent Wambasi Mutoro said five people died while undergoing treatment at the medical facility.

Mr Okello said a matatu rammed into a stalled tractor that was transporting sugarcane at Kamukuywa Bridge during the 9pm incident on Monday. “Seven people were brought to this facility last night but it’s unfortunate that five of them died while undergoing treatment. Only two are still under the care of our officers but in critical condition,” said Dr Wambasi.

Bodies of the deceased were moved to Webuye Hospital Mortuary. Dr Wambasi said the death toll was expected to rise as other people had been admitted in Lugulu and Kimilili hospitals, some in critical condition.

Police at scene said they had counted 15 bodies as dozens of survivors were rushed to MediHeal and Nakuru Level Five Hospitals in Nakuru town.

A 10-year-old boy died on arrival at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital.

Witnesses said the truck was being chased by National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officials before it lost control and rammed the other vehicles.

The scene of the accident is a few kilometers from Kamara area where seven artistes died on Saturday.

They met their deaths when their car collided head-on with a truck.

Scores of people have died and many others have sustained injuries in accidents along the nearly 20-kilometre stretch between Sobea and Kamara.

The notorious section stretches from Sobea-Salgaa- Migaa-Sachangwan-Total Junction near Mau Summit shopping centre to Kamara.

Reporting by Caroline Wafula, Joseph Openda, Magdalene Wanja, Reitz Mureithi, Peter Mburu and Linet Amuli.