Several Injured as Tree Falls on 14-Seater Matatu in Spring Valley, Nairobi

Falling tree
Tree falls on a 14-seater matatu along the Wangige route in Spring Valley, Nairobi County on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Photo
Gael Alunda

Several people are nursing serious injuries after a tree reportedly fell on a 14-seater matatu in the Spring Valley area of Westlands, Nairobi, along the Wangige route near Spring Valley Police Station.

Following the accident, which took place on Saturday, November 30, a rescue team was immediately dispatched to the scene to help retrieve those trapped under the wreckage.

According to witnesses, the vehicle, which was full of passengers, was hit by a falling tree while ferrying passengers to Wagige town in Lower Kabete, Kiambu County.

The videos and images obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed first responders removing passengers from the damaged vehicle as some performed first aid on those injured.

Wreckage of a damaged 14-seater matatu hit by a falling tree in Spring Valley, Nairobi on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Wreckage of a damaged 14-seater matatu hit by a falling tree in Spring Valley, Nairobi on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Photo
Davy Chams

The footage further showed several victims lying on the ground, with the images portraying members of the public attempting to remove the tree from the ring road.

Meanwhile, the matatu was completely damaged on all sides, including the windscreen. Pieces of glass were also scattered along the road, depicting the extent of the accident.

The accident resulted in a huge traffic snarl-up along the road with motorists forced to seek alternative routes. However, the exact number of those injured is yet to be established.

Moments after the accident, the area police officers arrived at the scene and cordoned it off to pave the way for investigations, similarly, the vehicle was also towed away from the road.

The accident follows a heavy downpour witnessed across several parts of Nairobi city on the evening of Friday, November 29, which resulted in flooding and damages.

In its weekend weather advisory, the Kenya Meteorological Department cautioned Kenyans living in different parts of the country to brace for heavy rainfall for the next five days.

Kenya Met Director General David Gikungu said rainfall was expected to continue over parts of the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the South Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands and the Coast.

Kenyans living in the above regions were urged to be on the lookout for potential floods and damages caused by soaked-up soil that could lead to the collapse of buildings and the falling of trees.

Motorists using a flooded highway during cold and rainy weather in Nairobi
Motorists using a flooded highway during cold and rainy weather in Nairobi
KNA

 

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