One killed, seven injured in Makutano-Kutus road crash

One person died while seven others sustained serious injuries after they were involved in a road accident on Makutano-Kutus road in Kirinyiga County.

The driver of one of the Lorries that collided head on died on the spot, in the Sunday night accident that occurred at Mutithi.

Witnesses said that a Lorry carrying cement headed to Makutano from Ngurubani town rammed into another one which was transporting mattresses from Nairobi.

A passenger in the Lorry carrying mattresses suffered multiple leg fractures and was rushed to Kerugoya Level Five Hospital and admitted while in critical condition.

Six passengers among three women aboard the two vehicles were thrown out on impact and suffered leg and hand injuries.

They were all rescued by the police with the help of villagers and rushed to hospital.

According to Mr Cyrus Kithaka, an eye witness, one of the Lorries swerved before it collided with the other on the opposite direction.

The driver who survived was trapped in the cabin and villagers and the police had a hard time trying to rescue him.

Another witness, Martin Njuguna, said he was at home when he heard a loud bang and rushed to the scene.

"On arrival at the scene I found one of the drivers dead and six passengers whose legs had been broken lying on the ground groaning in pain," he said.

Immediately after the accident, some youths attempted to loot the mattresses which had scattered at the scene but were chased away by police officers.

Area head of police Mr Mutoro Kizito said investigations into the accident had been launched and cautioned drivers against speeding which he noted was the major cause of accidents in the region.

"To avoid fatal accidents drivers should observe traffic rules," said Mr Kizito.

The accident comes barely two weeks after another one in which a man died after he was run over by a miraa vehicle.

In the past six months 15 residents have died in accidents on the same route, triggering protests by locals and leaders.