A survivor of an accident that claimed the lives of 12 individuals at Nithi Bridge in Tharaka Nithi County on Saturday, August 31, 2024, has revealed the last moments before the tragedy.
The survivor, Emily Nzasu, stated that the individuals who died were members of a self-help group known as Vision Group.
Further, she narrated that they had travelled to Meru as part of the group’s activities to visit the parents of one of the members.
She said that the ceremony was successful, and the group had a wonderful time, including receiving blessings from the parents.
However, on their way back to Kajiado, their vehicle veered off the road, leading to the accident.
“Our matatu was the first one to veer off somehow but the driver was able to control it, so it went back to the track. And then, the ten-sitter behind us which had ten people, and two children got involved in the accident,” Emily Nzasu said.
Also Read: 12 Killed in Road Accident at Nithi Bridge
Police Attempt to Save Nithi Bridge Victims
After the accident, Emily Nzasu said that the vehicle they were in stopped and ran to the scene to save their friends.
Despite their efforts, they were not able to do much until the police and firefighters arrived at the scene to help out.
Two survivors were rushed to Chogoria and Chuka hospitals for specialized treatment.
Earlier, Tharaka Nithi County Police Commander Zacchaeus Ng’eno confirmed the accident, noting that two others were injured.
Ng’eno stated that the matatu driver, unfamiliar with the highway, was driving in the wrong lane when the accident occurred.
“We have confirmed the recovery of 12 bodies from the scene and two others injured. The collision involved two vehicles: one heading towards Nairobi and the other towards Meru,” Ng’eno said.
At the same time, another accident occurred at the same blackspot on Nithi Bridge, on the same day.
“Two separate traffic crashes involving public service vehicles have been reported at the Nithi Bridge and another at the Murram area (after Koru). The National Police Service and emergency responders are on the scene,” NTSA stated.
Also Read: Accident Alert: Casualties as Bus Full of Passengers Overturns
Parents of Victim Break Silence
The family of Njeri, a victim who succumbed in the accident have expressed their heartache, following news of the accident.
According to the family, Njeri had informed them of the ceremony, and they were aware that it was a successful event.
However, on Sunday early morning, they received news that their daughter was one of the members of the self-help group who had lost their lives.
We received news at around 3:00 am that there was an accident in Meru. We were then told that my daughter and her children passed away in the accident,” said Julius Kamau, the father-in-law of a victim
Following the accident, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua directed the ministry of transport to Fastrack plants to upgrade safety measures along the bridge.
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