Tourist dies in Nanyuki accident

By JOB WERU

NANYUKI, KENYA: Two people, among them a Norwegian tourist died on Saturday in a fatal accident that occurred at Equator area in Nanyuki town.

The tourists were travelling back to Nairobi after completing a Mount Kenya hiking expedition.

Ten others, including the driver of the ill-fated matatu were seriously ,  the driver succumbed to  injuries while undergoing treatment at Nanyuki Cottage Hospital.

The accident occurred at the imaginary Equator line, a favourite spot with tourists who visit Nanyuki town.

It involved a ten-seater matatu-which had ten tourists- all students, a lorry and a saloon car.

Police said the lorry driver, who was heading towards Nanyuki town attempted to overtake a saloon car but hit it from the back.

“The lorry lost control and hit the matatu which was approaching from the opposite direction,” said a police officer at the scene.

Mr Jerumani Mwamavuo, the Officer Commanding Nanyuki Police Station told journalists at the scene that the deceased,  was among 21 Norwegian students who were on a mountain climbing adventure.

She died on the spot, while the matatu driver died moments later in hospital.

By the time of going to press, Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital Superintendent Dr Sammy Kilonzo said the facility had only received the tourist’s body.

“Our ambulance was called to the scene but the driver found that the victims had been taken to Cottage Hospital, which is near the crash scene. We only received the body of the tourist,” said Dr Kilonzo. 

“They had just completed their hike and were travelling back to Nairobi, and had hardly covered two kilometres when their vehicle was involved in the accident,” said Mwamavuo.

The OCS said ten other tourists were in another car , and which was not involveld in the accident.

The car, witnesses said, had four passengers who were reportedly heading to a dowry ceremony, while the lorry had a driver and two other passengers.

They were also taken to Cottage Hospital, where they are receiving treatment; a medical personnel at the facility who sought anonymity said most victims suffered head injuries and fractures.

He also said the hospital was making arrangements with Amref to refer most serious cases to hospitals in Nairobi for specialized treatment.