PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI The wreckage of one of the buses involved in a head-on collision at Mtito Andei on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway on December 24, 2013, in which 18 people died. Among those who died were 12 men, five women and a five-year-old boy. Both bus drivers and their conductors perished in the crash.  NATION MEDIA GROUP
Eighteen people died in a gruesome road accident at Mtito Andei on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
Fifteen died on the spot while three others succumbed to injuries at the Makindu Level Four Hospital while undergoing treatment.
The grisly accident occurred yesterday at 2am when two vehicles ferrying passengers collided head-on.
A Horizon bus heading to Mombasa tried to overtake a truck before it hit a Spring minibus that was coming from the coastal city to the capital.
The accident occurred two kilometres from Kambu trading centre, between Machinery and Ivingoni on the busy highway.
The Makindu hospital medical superintendent, Dr Isaac Munyalo, said they received 43 victims, three of whom died while undergoing treatment.
“We now have 40 victims... eight are in critical condition, while the rest are in stable condition, and once they receive treatment, they will be allowed to go home,” he said.
Among the dead were 12 men, five women and five-year-old old boy, he said. The drivers of both buses and their conductors also perished.
The bodies are at the hospital’s mortuary. The area where the buses collided is a black spot where numerous travellers have lost their lives accidents over the years.
Dr Munyalo said 17 victims of the accidents were taken to Mtito Andei Sub-district Hospital, where they were admitted. Most victims had fractured limbs and bruises.
Makueni County police commander Waithira Kipsoi appealed to drivers to be more careful during the festive season.
“I want to urge drivers on our roads to be extra vigilant and observe traffic rules to avoid these accidents,” Ms Kipsoi said.
REMAINS TOWED
Remains of the two buses were towed to Mtito Andei Police Station.
Mr Antony Migwi, 22, who was travelling to join his family in Mombasa for Christmas, was awake when the accident occurred.
The driver of the Horizon bus was trying to overtake a trailer, he said. “Within a short time, another bus from the opposite direction appeared and all I can recall is a strong bang and followed by screams.”
The accident occurred less than a month after 18 people lost their lives in separate accidents along the highway.
Thirteen people died recently when the bus they were travelling in collided with a lorry at Ngokomi area between Sultan Hamud and Kiongwani. Five died in an accident between Emali and Sultan Hamud.
In the last two weeks, five others among them a week-old baby boy died when the bus they were travelling in was involved in a collision with a lorry between Emali and Sultan Hamud.