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Ten Passengers Narrowly Escape Death In A Bus-Train Collision



10 commuters cheated death early this afternoon when a PSV mini-bus in which they were travelling collided with a cargo train in Ruiru Town.

Two of the victims who were seriously injured were rushed to the nearby Plainsview Hospital, while three others who sustained soft tissue injuries were taken to the General Hospital.

According to eyewitness account, the bus, belonging to Tulaga Travellers Sacco had just left Thika Town at noon for Kinangop. On arrival at Ruiru railway crossing, the driver is said to have ignored the train’s whistle and drove past other vehicles which had queued waiting for the train to pass.

Just as they were about to pass the rail tracks, the engine kinda failed and BANG! The train hit it on the passengers’ side door, sending it down rolling and dragging it for about 30 metres.

One passenger who spoke to Thika Town Today blamed the accident on their driver who he said ignored the warning from the locomotive operator. He said that he was seated next to the door where the train hit the bus but on realising that things were about to get tragic, he jumped towards the back of the bus and escaped unhurt.

The bus conductor who was seated next to him plus another passenger were seriously injured and were rushed to hospital. The bus driver too complained of some pains but seemed not seriously injured.

Otherwise, this passenger thanked God since there were no casualties.

Speaking to our crew on the scene of the accident, an official of the Kenya Railways who did not want to reveal her identity as she is not authorised to speak on behalf of the corporation, said that the bus should have waited for the train to pass before dashing to get past the tracks.

According to her, the locomotive operators always hooted well in advance to warn the road users of an oncoming train.

She blamed local developers who have vandalised the KR barriers and warning signs. These businessmen have now erected buildings (Shell Petrol Station and Blue Hotel) where these signs were supposed to be.
Meanwhile, a mysterious fire caught JKUAT Hall 6 this evening, destroying students’ property of unknown value. Fire engines from Kiambu County Government responded with speed and contained the inferno before it spread further.
 There were no reports of fatalities or injuries reported by the time our team reached the scene.

The cause of the fire is yet to be known.

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