Ten pupils of St. Gabriel Academy Primary School died and 32 others were seriously injured in a grisly road accident near Mwingi town, Kenya on Saturday night.
The pupils were travelling from Mombasa where they had gone for a study tour when their bus was involved in a head-on collision with a lorry at Kanginga bridge about 1 Km from Mwingi town on the Thika-Garissa Road at around 11:00 pm. After the collision, the bus lost control and plunged into the Kanginga river bed.
Six others were rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital with critical injuries while 32 more were treated at the Mwingi Level Four Hospital with slight injuries.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi led other leaders in mourning the death of the pupils and wishing those injured a quick recovery. Ngilu said she was deeply saddened by their deaths seeing as they were young people who looked forward to a bright future.In his message, Mulyungi wished all the families, friends and relatives of the departed strength and resilience.
Mwingi Central Assistant County Commissioner Mohammed Dima said the pupils were returning from a tour from Mombasa when the accident occurred.The Assistant County Commissioner said the bus rolled, plunging into the seasonal river. Those admitted in hospital include a teacher, a matron and the driver of the fated bus.
Six pupils had just been dropped home just before the accident, leaving 40 others, three teachers and a Matron on board at the time of accident.
Meanwhile, President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence to the families of 10 pupils.In his message to the parents and guardians of the students, President Kenyatta said it was unfortunate that the lives of innocent pupils who are the future of this nation were lost.
“It is indeed sad and unfortunate that we lost those we look forward to secure the future of our great nation,” said President Kenyatta.The ten students were among 50 passengers who included their teachers” he said.The President wished those who have been admitted in various hospitals quick recovery.Of the injured, 32 students were admitted in Mwingi Level Four Hospital, six of them in critical condition while 26 are in stable condition.
