Panic as Kenya Railways unmanned train hurtles across city
A Rift Valley Railways (RVR) technician attempts to put back a train engine that derailed at a crossing level on Outer Ring Road, Nairobi, on April 27, 2015. An unmanned train engine sped across Nairobi City from Makadara station after the breaking system failed. It stopped near Mwiki at a slope. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The unmanned engine hurtled towards past level stations at Mutindwa and Dandora, and stopped on its own near Mwiki.
Panic gripped Nairobi residents as an unmanned train engine sped across the city’s network Wednesday evening.
The engine’s braking system failed at the Makadara station, forcing the driver to jump off as it gained momentum.
The unmanned engine hurtled past level stations at Mutindwa and Dandora, and stopped near Mwiki at a slope.
Railway Police Unit Commandant Kirimi Ringera said the driver alighted on realising he could not stop it.
“He was aligning the engine before the wagons were attached when it started moving on its own and the brakes failed. The driver jumped and together with an engineer, he entered another one. They chased after it, while hooting to warn motorists and pedestrians at the level crossings,” he said.
