33 confirmed dead in Nithi River bridge accident
It is suspected that the bus was on a high speed and developed brake failure before rolling into the Nithi river.
33 people have been confirmed dead while 10 are nursing injuries after a Mombasa-bound bus from Meru was involved in an accident Sunday night. The ill-fated bus crashed into the Nithi river along the Meru-Nairobi highway. According to investigations, the bus had a brake failure making it impossible for the driver to manoeuvre the bridge’s sharp turn which sent the bus rolling about 40 meters below the bridge.
According to Tharaka Nithi county commissioner Nobert Komora, the injured were taken to Chuka County Referral Hospital and PCEA Chogoria Mission Hospital, while the bodies were taken to mortuaries in the same hospitals.
According to Nicholas Mutegi, an eyewitness, the bus was travelling at high speed when it hit the guard rails and fell into the river.
“The bus must have developed brake failure because it was travelling at a very high speed when the accident occurred,” said Nicholas Mutegi, an eyewitness.
According to Tharaka Nithi County Police Commander Donatha Chali, the bridge is a known black spot. However, drivers were still speeding despite warning signs on both sides of the bridge.
Featured photo: Daily nation
