14 people were on Saturday night killed following a tragic road accident that happened along the Lodwar-Kakuma road.
According to the National Police Service (NPS) the accident involved a lorry that was carrying 26 passengers and assorted goods.
NPS in a statement on Sunday said the accident that occurred around 10.00 pm was as a result of the driver of the lorry attempting to avoid hitting a camel that was crossing the road.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the motor vehicle was being driven towards Kakuma general direction, and upon reaching the location of the accident, there was a camel that was crossing the road from left to right and the driver swarved to the right to avoid hitting it,” the police said.
“Unfortunately, due to the heavy weight of the vehicle from the goods and the passengers onboard, the driver lost control of the vehicle,” it added.
As a result, the vehicle overturned and landed in a culvert on the right side of the road occasioning the injuries to the passengers and the vehicle extensively damaged.
12 sustained injuries
The 14 passengers died on the spot while others sustained various injuries.
NPS notes that the injured passengers are admitted at the Lodwar County Refferal Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
They were taken there by county ambulances that responded to the accident.
“The bodies have been moved to the same facility mortuary for preservation, awaiting autopsy,” noted the National Police Service in their statement.
Further, police said the scene has been visited and necessary police action taken even as arrangements are being made to tow the vehicle to Lodwar Police Station pending inspection, and comprehensive investigations into the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, the National Police Service has appealed to all motorists to excersise extreme caution on roads and adhere to traffic rules.
