14 Dead as Lorry Full of Passengers Overturns

An image of the wreckage of the lorry that overturned along the Lodwar-Kakuma highway on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
A photo collage of the wreckage of the lorry that overturned along the Lodwar-Kakuma highway on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
NPS

At least 14 people died after a lorry they were travelling in overturned along the Kakuma-Lodwar highway.

In a police report dated Sunday, February 5, the driver of the lorry lost control as he tried to avoid hitting a camel crossing the road.

The vehicle, a canter, was carrying 26 passengers, and goods, whose weight made it impossible for the driver to manoeuvre the situation.

A photo of the wreckage of the lorry that overturned along the Lodwar-Kakuma highway on Saturday, February 4, 2023
A photo of the wreckage of the lorry that overturned along the Lodwar-Kakuma highway on Saturday, February 4, 2023
NPS

"Unfortunately, due to the heavy weight of the vehicle from the goods and the passengers onboard, the driver lost control of the vehicle.

"The heavy impact of the accident resulted in the death of 14 passengers on the spot while the remaining 12 passengers sustained various injuries," the statement read in part.

12 survivors who sustained injuries were rushed to the Lodwar County and Referral Hospital for treatment using the county ambulance.  

Bodies of the deceased were ferried to the mortuary in the same hospital where an autopsy will be conducted to establish their cause of death.

The vehicle was towed to Lodwar Police Station where an inspection would be conducted to establish the cause of the accident and a comprehensive report filed.

Meanwhile, the police warned motorists and passengers to strictly adhere to Traffic Rules to avoid road carnage.

The accident sparked a debate on whether transit vehicles are allowed to ferry passengers with a video clip of a similar accident making rounds on social media.

Section 56 (2) of the Traffic Act prohibits drivers from carrying passengers in a manner than endangers their lives.

"No vehicle shall be used on a road if it is loaded in such a manner as to make it a danger to other persons using the road or to persons travelling on the vehicle.

"Any person who drives or uses on a road a vehicle in contravention of the provisions of  56 or in accordance with the East African Community Vehicle Load Control Act, 2013, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh400,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both," Section 58 (1) reads.

On the other hand, passengers caught riding dangerously are liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh10,000 or an alternative jail term not exceeding one month.

A photo of a warning sign indicating that an accident has occurred.
A photo of a warning sign indicating that an accident has occurred.
Photo
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