Death toll from Thika Superhighway accident reaches three

NAIROBI, KENYA: The death toll from Saturday’s accident along Nairobi’s Thika Superhighway in Pangani area on Saturday has reached three.

17 others sustained serious injuries following the accident.

The accident happened when a bus that was headed for Babadogo estate rammed onto the steel barriers supporting the flyover at Pangani interchange.

One person died on the spot while two others passed on in hospital.

Nairobi head of traffic Edward Mwamburi said they are investigating the cause of the accident.

“There are claims of a tyre burst before the accident happened but we are investigating,” he said.

Those injured were rushed to various hospitals in the city.

Meanwhile, a van driver was Sunday morning injured when a cargo train rammed onto his vehicle in Outer Ring area, Nairobi.

The driver escaped with serious injuries after the train dragged his van for almost a kilometer before stopping, police said.

The train was approaching as the driver also struggled to cross the railway cross Sunday morning.

Witnesses said the train hooted several times to warn motorists and pedestrians but he did not heed.

“The train could stop at that point and had to hit his van because he defied the warnings. He was injured and is in hospital,” said Nairobi Area head of traffic Edward Mwamburi.

He said the area is a hotspot for such accidents. The police boss warned motorists using the road to always heed warnings. Such an accident happened last year and killed more than ten passengers after a matatu driver defied warnings from an approaching train.