14 dead, 13 injured in Lodwar-Kakuma road crash
Fourteen people have been confirmed dead while thirteen others injured in a grisly accident at Kakwamunyen area along Lodwar- Kakuma road on Saturday night at about 10 PM.
The dead were eight female adults three male adults and three male children.
Turkana Central Sub County Police Commander Lemmy Njiru said that the driver of the overloaded lorry encountered a camel at Kakwamunyen area which he opted to avoid hitting.
Mr Njiru said the camel was crossing the road from left to right and the driver identified as Mr David Ekitela swerved to the right to avoid hitting it and due to the heavy weight of the vehicle, he lost control of the vehicle.
"The vehicle later overturned and landed in a culvert on the right side of the road occasioning the deaths, injuries and extensively damage to the lorry," the police boss said.
All survivors were rushed to Lodwar County and Referral Hospital for treatment. The bodies of those who perished were moved to a mortuary at the facility to await autopsy.
Mr Njiru said that arrangements were being made to tow the lorry-registration number KCH 632 B, that was also loaded with assorted goods to Lodwar Police Station pending inspection.
Undergoing treatment
"I only heard a loud bang from a tyre burst that led us into a ditch forcing me to get out through a window," said Mr Benjamin Maraka-who was inured in the accident.
Turkana County Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health; Peter Lomorukai said that the admitted patients are undergoing treatment.
Turkana North Sub County residents led by Dr Gilchrist Lokoel said that it was painful to lose more than 10 people in a single accident at a time when many people especially children are traveling back to school.
"Transportation of people and cargo especially Turkana North Sub County where lorries are the main mode of transportation must be reviewed to avoid massive deaths. Times have changed and cargo should be transported separately from people," Dr Lokoel said. BY DAILY NATION
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