By P, KNA
Six people perished and 7 others were admitted in hospital in critical condition following a grisly accident that occurred along Ngoluni- Tawa Road in Mbooni East Sub-county yesterday evening.
The Friday 6pm accident occurred at Ngoluni market when driver of a lorry lost control and hit a 14-seater matatu from the rear killing the victims on the spot.
Speaking to KNA on Saturday morning, Mbooni East Subcounty Police Commander, Ephraim Karani, disclosed that the critically injured were first rushed to Kisau Health Centre before being transferred to Makueni County Referral Hospital for further treatment.
“Among the dead are two middle-aged women of between 30 and 40 years. A young man believed to be a student from a local secondary school, 2 girls aged 9 and 3 years and a boy (5),” said Karani.
“The survivors were critically injured and suffered head, hand and leg injuries. They included an elderly man (43), woman (40) and 3 boys aged between (15-18) and 2 children aged between 3 and 5 years,” he added.
The police commander disclosed that an infant aged between 7 to 9 months escaped unhurt and the mother’s whereabouts is yet to be known.
“An infant aged between 7 and 9 months escaped unhurt. We don’t know the mother whether she died or is alive,” he posed
He attributed the accident to over speeding by the lorry adding that the driver disappeared from the scene but the police are hunting him down with a view to arrest him for prosecution.
In this regard, the commander appealed to drivers to exercise caution and avoid reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol especially during the approaching festive season.
He said, “I urge motorists to stop drunken and reckless driving to avert loss of innocent lives.”
He asked police officers to remain alert and apprehend careless drivers who endanger the lives of commuters. They will be arrested and prosecuted,” warned Karani.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Tawa Funeral Home awaiting autopsy.