Speeding lorry’s brake failure leaves four dead and 21 injured

Four people died and 21 were injured after a lorry lost control and rammed three vehicles in Meru town on Thursday evening.

Imenti North Police Commander Bashir Hassan said the accident occurred some minutes to 9 pm after the lorry which was driving towards Nkubu town suffered brake failure within the town.

He said the lorry rammed into two cars on the road before it hit two motorcycles and a matatu which were parked on the roadside, and overturned.

“The lorry was on a descent when its breaks failed. Three men and one woman died at the scene. Those injured were rushed to Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital,” Mr Hassan said.

According to Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital executive officer Bernard Murithi, 21 casualties were taken to the facility after the accident.

“So far, 10 people have been treated and discharged while 11 are admitted for further treatment. All of them are in stable condition after receiving emergency care,” he said.

Eyewitnesses said the lorry ferrying manure was speeding from Makutano direction and the driver had tried to warn motorists and pedestrians by hooting.

“We heard continuous hooting from the speeding lorry before it rammed into two cars. The lorry then hit a matatu and traders and boda boda riders who were at the roadside. Some of the victims were trapped under the lorry,” Frank Mwongera said.

Residents said the Riverland area is prone to accidents involving heavy trucks and lorries due to a long descent from Makutano to Meru town.

North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood said accidents could be reduced by installing speed bumps on the busy stretch.

“Riverland is a very busy area in the evening because traders, matatus and boda boda riders operate by the road side. I will be engaging the Kenya National Highways Authority to consider building speed bumps. There is also a need for guardrails to protect pedestrians and small traders,” Mr Dawood said.

Residents have also called on the county government to relocate traders who have been operating along the busy road, posing a risk in case of accidents.

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