At least five people have been confirmed dead following a tragic accident involving a truck ferrying logs in Subukia, Nakuru County along the Nyahururu-Nakuru road.
Preliminary reports indicate that the accident occurred on the night of Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at a crowded stage in Subukia.
It was reported that the truck lost control following a break failure while descending a steep slope, in turn sweeping away tens of people at the stage.
On Tuesday night, witnesses at the scene said that several people were feared dead while others were left nursing minor injuries.
The injured were referred for treatment in hospitals within Nakuru County.Â
Photos seen by The Kenya Times showed the nearly overturned and heavily damaged truck, with first responders at the scene.
Other photos showed scattered logs all over the scene and an almost-falling Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) electricity pole which was damaged.
In another video, a rescue team was seen at the scene which was quickly dispatched to help evacuate the victims trapped inside the wreckage as onlookers were left shocked.
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KPLC also deployed its personnel to avert an electricity fault after the lorry damaged a pole.
Subukia truck accident leaves five dead
National Police Service (NPS) officers on their part arrived at the scene moments later to help in the rescue efforts.
Subukia area chief Norman Macharia while speaking to the press said that the cargo truck carrying timber lost its direction and hit two people on a boda boda before going off the road where it hit other passersby.
Residents in the area have reported increased accidents on the Nakuru – Nyahururu highway recently, urging the government to investigate in detail.
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The crash is among accidents happening near crowded market centers and towns which have left a trail of fatalities in the past.
In July 2023, more that 51 people died after a trailer rammed into several vehicles at Londiani junction along Kericho-Nakuru Highway.
Business operators on the roadside including Boda Boda operators were also crashed in the evening accident.
Former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen when he visited the scene said that markets would be moved away from highways to prevent further such incidents in future.
Road crashes in 2024
The Subukia accident is notably among grisly road crashes which have been reported within this year that have left behind casualties and fatalities.
Accordin to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), a total number of 4,047 people have lost their lives between January and November this year in road accidents.
This is an increase of over 8% compared to the 3,726 deaths recorded in the same period last year.
Additionally, the number of accidents has risen sharply, with 20,369 reported incidents in 2024, compared to 19,262 in 2023.
Among the most alarming statistics is the rise in serious injuries, with 10,124 people suffering significant harm in crashes, up from 9,059 last year.
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