One person died on the spot while three others are recuperating in hospital after a vehicle they were travelling in rammed a culvert before rolling several times.
The accident occurred at Shikuyu near Goldmine petrol station along the Sigalagala–Butere highway in Ikolomani sub-county.
A witnesses claimed the driver of the seven-seater matatu lost control of the vehicle.
“The matatu rammed into the culvert and rolled three times. A woman who was at the co-driver’s seat died instantly while the driver was unconscious. We rushed to the scene and rescued them from the wreckage,” said Iholi village elder, Jacob Ilolo.
Iloli claimed that the driver was drunk. Caroline Musanga, another witness said she was breastfeeding her baby when the matatu rammed the culvert.
“I heard a loud bang and when I came out of the house to see what was happening, I saw the matatu flying in the air before landing in my compound. I thank God the kids were not outside as they would have been injured,” she said.
Moses Makhanu, a survivor claimed that the driver was caressing the woman in the passenger seat next to him.
Makhanu claimed that the driver almost lost control of the matatu at Sigalagala National Polytechnic when he tried to forcibly kiss the woman, but managed to steady the car.
He said they cautioned him against reckless driving, but the driver insulted them and even threatened to throw them out of the vehicle.
“The driver appeared drunk. You could hear him telling the lady how he loves her and wanted to marry her. When the vehicle got to the accident scene, he attempted to kiss the woman by force,” he claimed.
Western traffic police boss Geoffrey Njogu confirmed the accident saying the deceased was taken to Kakamega County Referral Hospital awaiting postmortem.
“Another passenger’s left leg was fractured and the right hand dislocated. The third survivor had back pains at the time we took them to Kakamega County Referral Hospital for specialised treatment,” he said.
Source: SDE.co.ke
