On Tuesday, a 14-seater matatu rolled near River Tungu in Tharaka Nithi County, along the Meru-Nairobi highway, injuring nine people.
Among those injured were three students who were traveling back to school after the mid-term break. They were taken to the Chuka County Referral Hospital for treatment.
Tharaka Nithi County fire and rescue team manager Alex Mugambi confirmed that no one died in the crash, but some sustained serious injuries.
According to Mr. Mugambi, the vehicle, belonging to Meru Artists Company, was traveling from Nairobi to Meru town when one of the front tyres reportedly burst and it veered off the road.
He noted that the rolling vehicle hit a tree and stopped a few meters from the river bank.
Mr. Moses Mutembei, an eyewitness, alleged that the vehicle was speeding when the accident happened.
Fortunately, the public helped those who were trapped inside the wreckage get out before they were rushed to the hospital by the county rescue team.
Mr. Mugambi expressed concern over the rise in accidents along the road and urged drivers to be cautious.
“The accident cases are very many and most of them are as a result of human carelessness,” he said.
