Kilifi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Two lives were tragically lost on Tuesday morning when a four-wheel-drive Range Rover collided head-on with a canter in the Mariakani area of Kilifi County.
The accident, which involved a Range Rover and an FRR Isuzu canter, also left three other people injured. Police identified the driver, Jamal Mubarak, 37, and a female passenger as the deceased.
The crash occurred around 7 am in the Maji Ya Chumvi area. According to police reports, Mubarak was driving at high speed from Mombasa to Nairobi when he attempted to overtake another vehicle. Unfortunately, the maneuver was miscalculated, leading to a head-on collision with the oncoming canter.
Both Mubarak and his passenger died instantly at the scene, while the three occupants of the canter sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Mariakani Sub County Hospital for treatment. The wreckage of both vehicles was later towed to the local police station.
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Authorities are investigating the incident, with initial findings pointing to speeding and improper overtaking as the primary causes of the crash.
The tragic event serves as a stark reminder from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for road users to exercise caution.
In Kenya, road accidents claim up to 4,000 lives annually, with many more individuals suffering injuries. The NTSA identifies major causes of fatal accidents as hit-and-runs, tire bursts, loss of vehicle or motorcycle control, and improper overtaking, often leading to devastating head-on collisions.