Three killed in Nyeri matatu accident

THREE people died in a road accident in Nyeri on Thursday evening when their 14-seater matatu collided with a lorry. The matatu that was heading to Karatina town from Chaka trading centre, collided with the Mitsubishi Canter truck from the opposite direction. The 6.30pm accident occurred on the Karatina-Nyanyuki highway.

The matatu driver and two female passengers died on the spot. Nyeri traffic police boss Reuben Bett said preliminary investigations showed the accident might have been caused by the matatu driver. He claimed the matatu had veered into the lane the lorry was using. ‘‘We suspect the drivier was speeding,’’ said Bett.

“Four other passengers were injured, two of them seriously, and were all rushed to the Nyeri Provincial General Hospital. Those seriously injured were admitted to the facility,” he said. The lorry driver, who also suffered minor injuries, was treated at the Tumu Tumu Mission Hospital and discharged.