One dead, six seriously injured after matatu carrying mourners crashes into river

Survivors told Citizen TV the vehicle was carrying mourners returning from a funeral in Nakuru to Gatumbi village when it developed mechanical problems, including a puncture and brake issues, before the crash.

In an account narrated by Joyce Muthoni Irungu from Gatumbi village, the matatu allegedly suffered a puncture on the way to the funeral. After the tyre was changed, she said the vehicle later developed smoke from one of the wheels on the return journey, prompting the occupants to stop as the driver raised concerns about the brakes.

The passengers said they were assisted with brake oil and proceeded with the journey, but the problem recurred later in the night.

Another passenger, Grace Kimani from Gachocho village, said smoke could be seen coming from the rear wheel and the driver told them the brakes had issues.

She said about 30 minutes after getting back on the road, the vehicle veered off the road, rolled down a hill and stopped near the riverbank.

Local leaders and rescuers said about 18 people, including children, were pulled from the wreckage.

Some victims were reportedly trapped in nearby vegetation as rescue efforts continued into the night.

Dr Brian Nganda of Murang’a County Referral Hospital said the facility received reports of the crash at around 4am and deployed ambulances to the scene.

“We received six patients at the hospital, most of them with multiple fractures and deep cuts. We managed to give them emergency care, stabilised them and sent them for imaging,” he said.

Kinyona MCA Liz Muthoni said she was informed of the accident involving passengers travelling home using the Mataara route.

“Eighteen people were rescued from the accident scene but unfortunately we lost one person, a middle-aged woman,” she said.