Two people were killed and six others seriously injured after a Dreamline bus rammed into the rear of a stationary trailer along the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway near Taru and Mackinnon Road.
The bus, registration KDY 404L, was carrying 52 passengers when it collided with the trailer, registration KBS 609R, which was hauling a shipping container. The impact severely damaged the front cabin of the bus and trapped several passengers inside the VIP section.
One person died at the scene while another succumbed to injuries while being taken to hospital. Six other seriously injured passengers were referred to Coast General Hospital for treatment.
Police and emergency responders mounted a rescue operation at the scene, with some of the injured being transported to nearby health facilities using Land Cruisers as efforts to free those trapped in the wreckage continued.
Coast Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer Asha Wario urged motorists using the highway to exercise greater caution and strictly observe traffic regulations, particularly during the early hours of the morning.
Wario said motorists should avoid overtaking on continuous yellow lines and refrain from using mobile phones while driving. She warned that early-morning travel can present additional hazards, including rain showers, slippery road surfaces, and poor visibility.
“My message is that the driver should be more careful on that road, to observe traffic rules and to mind the safety of the passengers and other road users,” Wario said.
Wario said the trailer might have developed a mechanical problem, but its driver allegedly failed to place a warning triangle behind the stalled vehicle to alert approaching motorists.
She reminded motorists whose vehicles break down on the highway to immediately place hazard triangles to warn other road users and notify the nearest police station for assistance, including towing or moving the vehicle from the carriageway.
She said authorities have continued sensitising long-distance drivers operating along the route through direct engagement and reminders on road safety regulations.
The Taru-Mackinnon section has recorded several serious road crashes in recent years, prompting repeated calls for caution, particularly on sections used by long-distance passenger buses and heavy commercial vehicles.
Police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s crash, including the possible roles of speed, visibility, road conditions, and the mechanical condition of the trailer.
By Joan Kinuthia
