At least 25 people died after a bus ferrying mourners overturned at the Coptic Roundabout on the Kisumu – Kakamega Road.
Nyanza Regional Traffic Commander Peter Maina has confirmed. The bus belongs to AIC Naki High School.
According to Maina, the bus was travelling from Kakamega towards Kisumu when the accident occurred at around 5 p.m. He mentioned that the driver might have lost control before plunging in a ditch.
The passengers were reported to be coming from a burial in Kisumu’s Nyahera area.
“The driver appears to have lost control of the vehicle as it approached the Coptic Roundabout, crossed over to the opposite lane heading back to Kakamega, and plunged into a ditch,” said Maina.
Deaths as School Bus Overturns in Kisumu
Among the deceased are 10 women, 10 men, and a 10-year-old girl.
Five other people were critically injured, with 15 sustaining minor cuts including a minor with 8 months.
The injured were taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu for treatment.
Kenya Red Cross rushed to the scene to help in rescue operations together with St John’s hospital and other County hospitals.
In images seen by The Kenya Times, a large crowd had gathered around the scene.
A yellow school bus could be seen overturned on its side. The bus appeared to have flipped near a curve or junction.
By the time of publishing, the exact cause of the accident had not been established. Maina said the cause of the crash is yet to be determined and that mechanical experts will inspect the vehicle.
Also Read: Mother Recalls Last Moments of 12-Year-Old Daughter Killed in Mwihoko Plane Crash
Deadly Crash at Coptic Roundabout Highlights Dangerous Road Conditions
Coptic Roundabout is an infamous blackspot. Locals blame the high number of road accidents there on poor road design, lack of clear signage, and reckless driving.
Most accidents at the spot involve trucks or buses overturning.
DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua said he was deeply pained by the Kisumu Road crash that claimed innocent lives today.
“One life lost is one too many. My family and I send our deepest sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones in this horrific crash,” said Gachagua.
He urged all road users to exercise maximum care on the roads. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We must all stay safe on our roads for one another,” he added.
Also Read: Kisii Politician, His Wife Die in Road Accident While Heading to Son’s Graduation
Nakuru Accident Claims Lives of 9
This comes a day after nine people died in an accident involving a train and a bus near Morendat Farm in Naivasha.
Among the deceased were four Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) staff from the Morendat Training and Conference Centre and five staff from a contracted cleaning service provider.
The tragedy occurred when a KPC staff bus collided with a Kenya Railways train at a railway crossing near the Morendat Training and Conference Centre (MTCC).
The bus was ferrying 32 staff members who were getting off the morning shift. Following the accident, those injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, while those in critical condition were evacuated to Nairobi for specialized care.
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