Five people died on the spot, on Wednesday night, after a 14 seater matatu they were travelling in was involved in a grisly accident at Muumandu Shopping Centre along Machakos-Wote road.
13 others were rushed and admitted at the Machakos Level 5 hospital with serious, multiple tissue injuries.
The fatal accident is said to have happened at around 7.30pm after the matatu tire burst making it roll several times.
Machakos County Director of Emergency Services, David Mwongela, confirmed the incident reporting that the matatu, trading under Maptra Sacco, was speeding and had excess passengers on board at the time of the accident.
“On reaching the scene of the accident, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road and rolled several times killing the five on the spot,” he revealed.
The Standard reported that a standby ambulance was called to the scene within minutes and used to ferry the injured to hospital.
“Those injured were immediately picked by county ambulance and rushed to Machakos level 5 hospital where they are now being managed. We have been informed that they are now out of danger,” he added.
Mwongela, further blamed recklessness and blatant failure by road users, particularly drivers, to comply with safety regulations for the increased accidents.
“Most of these accidents are caused by carelessness by drivers and disregard of traffic regulations. In this incident, a 14-seater matatu was over-speeding with a total of 19 people on board which is completely unacceptable,” Mwongela concluded.
Bodies of the deceased were taken to Machakos hospital mortuary, while the wreckage of the vehicle was towed to Machakos police station.
