One dead, 8 injured after matatu plunges into Meru's Maara River
A police officer and members of the public remove burning tyres from the road at the scene of the accident that claimed one person near the Maara River bridge in Chogoria, Meru. The tyres were lit by residents who were protesting the many accidents happening in the area. One person died Thursday night after a matatu plunged into Maara River. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The matatu was heading to Meru from Nairobi at midnight when the driver lost control and it rolled.
- Eight passengers were rescued by members of the public and a team of Kenya Red Cross officers.
- Another passenger was still missing and it was feared he could have been swept downstream.
- Police boss Johnston Ipara asked drivers to avoid driving at night especially when it is raining.
One person died while eight others sustained serious injuries after a matatu they were traveling in plunged into Maara River near Chogoria on the Embu-Meru highway Thursday night.
The matatu was heading to Meru from Nairobi at midnight when the driver lost control and it rolled.
Eight passengers were rescued by members of the public and a team of Kenya Red Cross officers who were among the first to arrive at the scene.
Tharaka-Nithi County Police Commander Johnston Ipara said that the body of the deceased was recovered five kilometres down the river from the scene of accident.
Another passenger was still missing and it was feared he could have been swept downstream.
“We got the information of the accident and rushed to the scene and found the vehicle had plunged into the river.
"Eight survivors were rescued. Some were rushed to Chuka General Hospital and others to Chogoria Mission Hospital,” said Mr Ipara.
He said that the accident might have happened as a result of the heavy rains which deposited a lot of mud on the road making it slippery.
He appealed to motorists to be very careful especially during the on-going rainy season.
The police boss also asked them to avoid driving at night especially when it is raining.
URGED DRIVERS TO BE CAUTIOUS
“Drivers have to be extra cautious while driving along this road because the heavy rains have caused a lot of damages,” he said.
Speaking at the scene of the accident, Tharaka-Nithi County Governor Samuel Ragwa promised that his government will make sure all the roads in the county have good drainage to minimise accidents during the rainy season.
He further, asked the National Government to play its role in ensuring that travellers are safe during the December festive season.
He further urged the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers, and asked the parents to take care of their children.
Tharaka-Nithi County executive in-charge of Roads and Infrastructure Basilio Gitonga, assured residents hat all the roads under the county government will be repaired and urged the Kenya Roads Authority to make sure that the national trunk roads are safe.
Another accident on the same road left one person dead and others injured after a matatu rolled dear the Nithi bridge on Tuesday evening.
