One dead, two injured in multi-car crash on Embu-Nairobi highway

The accident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m., claimed one life and left two others seriously injured.

The crash involved a lorry transporting maize, another carrying firewood, and a bus belonging to the Tahmeed company. 

Eyewitnesses reported that one of the lorries, heading toward Nairobi, experienced brake failure and rammed into another lorry that was being inspected by Embu County enforcement officers at a roadblock. 

The trailing bus sustained a shattered windscreen due to the impact.

Nancy Njeri, an eyewitness and one of the first to arrive at the scene, recounted hearing a loud bang before rushing to investigate. "

The two lorries spilt their loads of firewood and maize sacks, making it extremely difficult to access the trapped victims," she said.

Both lorry drivers were trapped in their cabins, necessitating the use of a breakdown truck by police and residents to separate the wreckage. 

One driver was found dead, while the other was rushed to a nearby county hospital with serious injuries. 

"The lack of proper tools delayed the rescue efforts, and this may have cost the life of one of the victims," Njeri lamented.

Francis Ndirangu, the coordinator of the Kirimari Ward rescue team, commended residents for their swift response and assistance. 

"The passengers in the bus were fortunate to escape without injuries," he noted. Ndirangu also highlighted that the accident caused a traffic snarl-up extending three kilometers on both sides of the highway.

Police encountered difficulties managing onlookers, many of whom risked their safety to capture photos and videos of the scene. 

The wreckage has since been towed to the Embu Police Station for inspection as investigations into the accident continue.