Diatomite accident survivors recount moment before the deadly crash

A day after a fatal road crash at Diatomite along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway that claimed seven lives, survivors and relatives of the injured are piecing together the events that left families grieving and others clinging to hope in hospital wards.

Some of the injured remain admitted in Nakuru hospitals, many battling fractures, head injuries and memory loss after the violent collision.

At St. Joseph’s Hospital, Doctor Nick Mutua says one of the victims was rushed in at around 5pm in critical condition.

“He sustained a fracture of the left lower limb and a pelvic fracture. He also had soft tissue injuries on the scalp and left elbow,” Dr Mutua says.

 “He has since stabilised, and X-rays show encouraging progress. However, because of the confusion, we are planning a CT scan of the brain,” the doctor explains, adding that the patient’s wife later arrived at the hospital after being contacted by medical staff.

 “She has come to see his progress and assist us in proceeding with the CT scan,” Dr Mutua adds.

For Joyce Wambui, the reality of the crash became painfully clear when she walked into the St. Joseph hospital ward and realised her brother could not recognise her.

 “My brother was injured on the head, arm and left leg. He has lost his memory. He doesn’t know me,” she says amid tears.

Her brother, Simon Waweru, a 47-year-old farmer and father of five, was travelling from Nakuru to Naivasha, where he had been called by his cousin for a construction job as a fundi, when the accident occurred.

 “He got into a vehicle from our home in Ngorika. We only found out about the accident after hospital staff traced his wife’s phone number from his phone,” Wambui says.

Despite the trauma, Wambui expressed gratitude that he survived.

 “I thank God that he is alive,” she notes.

 Other survivors narrated moments of confusion immediately after the crash.

 Brian Mwiruri says he was returning to the National Youth Service college (NYS) from his uncle’s place in Nakuru when the truck started swerving towards their matatu.

“I don’t remember much. I just remember the impact from the truck. I hit the matatu windscreen one escape through the opening alongside the lady seated next to me. After that I woke up on a hospital bed,” Mwiruri narrates.

 Another survivor, Jayden Wafula, notes he boarded the matatu at View Point estate heading to Kikopey to get his phone checked out. Few minutes after the matatu left the stage they were hit by a truck and he woke up in hospital.

“I’m Lucky to be alive. I was seated next to the matatu conductor and the vehicle had 15 people on board. I have however sustained injuries on my left arm and leg,” he notes.

At St Mary’s Hospital, Dr Saya Derrick confirmed that 13 patients from the same accident were received.

 “Two were brought in dead on arrival while six patients were treated and discharged, while five others were admitted,” Dr. Saya notes.

 Dr Saya adds two people have multiple fractures and will require surgery and the remaining three have soft tissue injuries and are under observation.

 As survivors recover and families mourn those who did not make it, the Diatomite crash has once again drawn attention to safety concerns along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway.