The athletics world has been thrown into mourning after Kenyan road racer FrancisKiplagat Lagat was among those who perished in a grisly road accident.
the accident happened on Monday night, around 11 pm at Kikopeyarea, along with the Eldoret-Nakuru highway.
Confirming the incident, Julius Ndegwa, the organizing secretary of the professional Athletes Association of Kenya(PAAK) said they were saddened by the tragic event.
“It’s true we have lost Kiplagat. They had come to Nairobi to gettheir visas… as they were heading Eldoret, the accident occurred at Kikopey area, a few kilometers past Gilgil,” he said.
Prior to his death, the 27-year-old had competed in several road races abroad. Former marathon record holder and two-time Berlin Marathon winner, Patrick Makau, a close friend of the deceased mourned.
"Pole sana my friend Francis Kiplagat.I do not believe that you’ve left us. May you rest in peace,”
Meanwhile, at Nakuru Level-Five Hospital, four survivors were admitted to nurse injuries while one has been transferred to Mediheal Hospital.
All the vehicles involved in the accident are currently at Gilgil Police Station.