One dead, another injured in Machakos accident

A man died on the spot while another sustained injuries in a road accident in Matungulu, Machakos County.

Police said the deceased, who was not immediately identified, died after the pick-up they were travelling in was involved in a self-accident along the Tala–Oldonyo Sabuk Road in the Katangini area on Thursday evening.

According to a police officer who spoke to The Star on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media, the two men had been travelling on the pick-up, which was ferrying ballast, when the accident occurred.

Eyewitnesses said the pair were hanging on the back of the vehicle when it hit a pothole, suffered a tyre burst, and rolled several times before landing in a maize plantation.

“Both men were hanging at the back of the pick-up when it hit a pothole. The driver lost control after a tyre burst, causing the vehicle to roll repeatedly,” one witness told The 8t8 media 

The two men were thrown from the vehicle during the crash.

One died on the spot, while the other was rushed to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

Officers from Tala Police Station responded to the scene and moved the body to Patjud Mortuary in Nguluni, within Matungulu Sub-county.

The wreckage was towed to Tala Police Station for inspection.

Residents thronged the scene and blamed the accident on the poor state of the road.

They called on the government to repair it and install speed bumps to prevent further tragedies.

“We are tired of mourning loved ones lost in accidents caused by the pathetic state of this road. The government should intervene before more lives are lost,” a resident said.