Parents Identify Bodies of Dr. Aggrey Secondary School Students Killed in Wundanyi Accident.
Families of six victims who lost their lives in a tragic road accident at the Josa black spot on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway faced a somber moment at the Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi.
On Sunday, parents and relatives arrived in droves to identify the bodies of their loved ones, struggling to process the devastating loss. The accident involved a school bus from Dr. Aggrey Boys High School, carrying students who had been abruptly sent home.
The tragic event has sparked numerous questions about the unclear circumstances surrounding the students’ unexpected dismissal from school late in the evening. Parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the school handled the situation.
Some alleged that they were not adequately informed about incidents of fire that had reportedly caused disruptions at the institution, leading to the indefinite closure.
Many parents have criticized the school for its abrupt decision to send the boys home without allowing sufficient time for families to organize safe travel arrangements.
This perceived lack of planning and communication has left some parents blaming the administration for the preventable tragedy. The students were reportedly left to fend for themselves, a situation that led to the fateful accident.
Condolences
Education Cabinet Secretary Julia Soa has extended condolences to the Dr. Aggrey Boys High School community and the bereaved families.
Among the deceased are four students, the bus driver, and a parent who had gone to collect their child. The Cabinet Secretary’s message was aimed at offering comfort during this period of immense grief.
While some families identified their deceased relatives, others visited the hospital to check on the condition of students who sustained injuries in the accident. The incident has united the community in mourning as they seek answers and support each other through the painful ordeal.
Survivors Recall Tragic Crash
Survivors of the devastating crash have described the final moments leading to the tragedy. They recounted that the accident occurred when the driver of the minibus lost control at a notorious blackspot in Josa.
The sequence of events began with a tyre burst, which was followed by brake failure, ultimately causing the vehicle to overturn. Among the two public members who lost their lives were the bus driver and a parent who had gone to collect his son from school after students were sent home.
The school’s board of management ordered its closure after a second fire incident erupted on Saturday, merely three days after the first blaze. Preliminary investigations suggested that the dormitory fires might have been caused by an electrical fault, likely triggered by ongoing rains across the country.
Thirteen students and one adult sustained injuries in the crash and were rushed to Mwatate Sub-County Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were taken to Moi Hospital mortuary for preservation and identification.
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Photographs and videos from the accident site depicted the bus in complete disarray, with a shattered windscreen, broken windows, overturned seats, and deflated tyres, reflecting the crash’s severity. Locals initially gathered at the site, some rushing to aid in rescuing those trapped in the wreckage.
Soon after, firefighters from the Taita Taveta County government, accompanied by police officers, arrived to secure the area. They towed the wrecked vehicle and cordoned off the site to facilitate investigations.
History of Accidents at Josa Blackspot
The Josa section of the winding Wundanyi-Mwatate Highway, known for its scenic views, has a grim history of fatal accidents. In 2019, a Taita Taveta University bus overturned at the same location, resulting in one student’s death and injuring over 20 others.
Similarly, in January 2018, a Royal Service Company bus rolled at the spot, killing two people and injuring 26 mourners en route to a funeral in Mghambonyi, Wundanyi.
This latest tragedy underscores the perilous nature of this stretch of road, which continues to claim lives despite its picturesque surroundings.
Parents Identify Bodies of Dr. Aggrey Secondary School Students Killed in Wundanyi Accident.
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