Three people killed in Voi car crash

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI

VOI, KENYA: Three people died while scores were seriously injured after two vehicles collided head on along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway Tuesday morning.

Police said the grisly road crash that occurred near Manyani trading centre 33 kilometres from Voi town involved a Toyota saloon and mini truck. The area is regarded as one of the major accident black-spot on the highway.

Taita-Taveta Police Commander Richard Bitonga and area Traffic boss Ms Fatuma Ali said one person died on the spot while two others succumbed while undergoing treatment at Voi district hospital where they were rushed immediately after the accident.

The police officers said one of the accident victims is still in critical condition while three others are in stable condition.

The mini truck was traveling from Mombasa to Nairobi while the saloon car was traveling towards Mombasa direction at the time of the 2.40 am accident.

“Out of the four passengers in the saloon car, three among them the driver died while the other victim is still in hospital in critical condition. The other victims in the canter who included a driver and a turn boy escaped with minor injuries,” said Mr Bitonga.

Speaking to The Standard on the phone, the police commander said the driver of the Toyota was trying to overtake another vehicle and in the process collided head on with the canter killing three and injuring others.

“It appears the Toyota driver was speeding because he moved out of his lane and caused the accident on the opposite side. Investigations into the accident are however still going on,” said Bitonga.

Earlier reports indicate that the driver of the Toyota who was speeding lost control and collided head on with the mini truck.

“It appears the Toyota driver was speeding but we are still investigating the incident,” said Ms Ali.

The Traffic Commander blamed careless driving and drug and alcohol abuse among drivers as the main causes of the accidents in the country.

“Some of the drivers do not mind the welfare of passengers. We have frequently been losing innocent lives because of dangerous driving by some of errant drivers,” she added.

Ali warned motorists flouting traffic rules that they would be arrested and prosecuted.

The accident comes at a time when the government is still grappling with increased cases of road accidents in the country.

Ali however said the number of accidents along the busy highway had reduced due the night travel ban on buses.

The traffic department said in the County alone, at least 32 people have died in road accident last year.

Releasing the figures recently the Coast Provincial Traffic Enforcement Officer Mr Martin Kariuki said 22 accidents victims were seriously injured while six received slightly injuries during the road crashes along the busy highway.

He said 12 accidents victims died as a result of careless driving while six pedestrians were killed by hit and run vehicles. Eight drivers and five boda boda also died in road accidents in the region, he said.

Majority of the accident victims had been rendered physically disabled and become a burden to their relatives and society at large, said the traffic commander.

While announcing measures to curb road carnage in the region, Kariuki said the government has deployed police in accidents hotspots in Manyani, Maungu, Taru, Maji Ya Chumvi and Kibarani with cameras and alcohol blow equipment to help check accidents.

Last year alone a total of 3011 people have died in road accidents in the country, the traffic department disclosed.