Athi River traffic commander Moses Kimeli inspect a trailer that was involved in a road accident. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Three people died on Thursday in a road accident along Nairobi – Mombasa Highway in Athi River, Machakos County.
The trio died on the spot while three others sustained serious injuries after a saloon car they were travelling in rammed in a trailer at Lukenya area few metres from National Cement Company.
Athi River police boss Sharma Boy Wario said the car’s driver was among the three casualties.
The car was heading towards Mombasa direction from Nairobi side while the trailer was from opposite direction.
Wario who spoke to the Star in his office said the 6.00am incident was caused by the ongoing heavy rains pondering the region alongside most parts of the country.
“We suspect the fatal accident was caused by heavy downpour that must had hampered the visibility of saloon car’s driver, the trailer was on its lane,” said Wario.
The victims were rushed to Machakos Level Five Hospital where they are undergoing treatment.
The accident caused heavy traffic snarl up between Lukenya and Makutano junction that lasted for more than five hours.
“Motorists should observe line discipline and exercise caution during the rainy season. Mist hampers visibility of drivers, which is the cause of heavy traffic snarl up on Mombasa Road,” said Wario.
Wario said the vehicles on the road were on standstill when police removed the wreckages from the highway.
“My appeal to wananchi is that they should exercise a lot of caution while driving on the highway especially during the rainy season, there is less visibility while roads are slippery due to the rains,” added Wario.
He said Mombasa Road is a Transnational Highway hence there is no time of the day there can be less traffic, there are lots of vehicles on the road all the time.
“Do not drive carelessly on the road, follow traffic rules and regulations to remain safe and save lives on the highway,” said Wario.