Six survivors of Sultan Hamud crash transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital

Six of the nine survivors who were admitted at Makindu Level Five hospital in critical condition following Sunday's accident near Sultan Hamud were on Monday transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment.

10 people died on the spot when a truck and a bus collided at Ngokomi between Kiongwani and Sultan Hamud shopping centre on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, with a further five people succumbing to their injuries afterwards.

Mukaa District police commander Ferdinand Nyongeza said that three victims were still admitted at the Makindu Level Five hospital and were responding to treatment.

A survivor, Mr Mwanza Wambua, who worked as a loader on the bus, said he saw the truck, which on its way to Nairobi from Mombasa, driving in the middle of the road and the driver appeared not be in control of the vehicle.

“The (bus) driver was told by the conductor, who was seating next to him, to swerve to the bush off the tarmac, as it appeared the driver of the truck would not give way, and in a matter of seconds there was a loud bang,” Mr Wambua said. He sustained facial and leg injuries and was part of the group that was treated and discharged but the Nation team found him at the Sultan Hamud Police Station where the wreckage of the bus had been towed to.

The bus belonging to Ladha Coach Bus Company was heading to Mombasa from Kitui when the accident occurred. The truck was ferrying clinker, which is used in the manufacture of cement. (READ: 13 killed as truck burns after crash)

CAUGHT FIRE

Witnesses said they were unable to rescue the three people in the truck because the cabin caught fire. The injured driver and loader died while screaming for help but nothing could be done to save their lives.

“When I arrived there were flames in the cabin of the truck which had overturned on the side of the highway and there were two people inside screaming to be rescued. There was soon a huge explosion and the whole truck was on fire,” said Lucas Musau, who was among the first to arrive at the scene.

Another witness, Ms Mary Mwikali said she heard an explosion and on coming out of her house to check what was happening, saw a truck under a huge ball of flame.

“People started running away with their children thinking it was an oil tanker on fire,” she said.

Relatives and friends of the people who were travelling in the bus have been advised to visit Sultan Hamud police station for more information.