Three killed after matatu rams lorry being towed on blackspot

Three people died on the spot after a matatu hit a lorry at Nembure in Embu West District.

Thirteen passengers were rushed to Embu Provincial General Hospital.

The accident happened on the Tuesday evening.

Nine people were treated and discharged on Wednesday morning while four others are still being treated, according to the nurse in charge, Ms Rita Njiru.

The matatu, which was headed to Meru from Nairobi, rammed the lorry which was being towed by another to Embu town.

A police officer told the Nation that the lorry being towed had veered to the wrong side of the road.

The officer said the lorry had no headlights and the 14-seater matatu driver did not see it until it was too late.

One of the victims, who had boarded the matatu in Nairobi, said that the passengers too did not see the lorry. “We had been moving well and it was just after Kivwe market that I heard a loud bang before I lost consciousness only to wake up in the hospital,” said Ms Mercy Kanji.

There was a pool of blood at the scene of the accident with personal belongings scattered across the road.

Area district commissioner Maalim Mohamed asked travellers to avoid boarding overloaded matatus.

Overloaded matatus

“Passengers should take responsibility for their lives and desist from boarding vehicles that are already full.

Why do they allow themselves to be bundled in matatus that they can see are already full?” asked Mr Maalim.

Speaking to the Nation by phone, the administrator said he would ask Kenya National Highways Authority to erect signs warning drivers of the blackspot.

Several fatal accidents in Embu West District have happened at the same spot.

A 40-year-old man died in the area last year after he was hit by a lorry as he crossed the road.

Residents said the steep slope and bend made it difficult for both motorists and pedestrians to see oncoming vehicles.

Motorists have also been accused of not observing speed limits while approaching the blackspot.