2 Pupils Killed, 11 Injured as Bus Ferrying School Children from Field Trip Crashes in Kampala
- On Sunday, August 3, two schoolchildren passed away following a nasty road accident along the Mubende-Kampala Road
- The traffic police spokesperson issued a statement disclosing how the bus overturned while ferrying primary school kids from a field trip
- Witnesses painted a heartbreaking picture of the accident as they narrated how pupils screamed for help, moments after the bus crashed
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
At least two pupils have been confirmed dead following a tragic accident along the Mubende-Kampala Highway in Zigoti, Mityana District.
Source: Facebook
Daily Monitor reported that the fatal accident occurred at the Kagavu area on Sunday, August 3, at around 5.30am.
How many Daystar Junior School pupils died?
Police reports show that the accident involved a bus, UAP 829U, belonging to HMK Transporters Ltd., which was ferrying pupils of Daystar Junior School in Makindye, Kampala.
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Confirming the sad news, Traffic Police spokesperson SP Kananura Michael disclosed that the bus was returning from a school tour when the accident occurred.
Kananura stated that when the bus reached Kagavu, the driver is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel.
The police boss disclosed that two pupils died on the spot, while 11 others, including four tour guides and the headteacher, sustained injuries.
“The crash claimed the lives of two pupils on the spot. Eleven others, including four tour guides and the head teacher, sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment,” Kananura said in a statement.
Kananura asserted the fatal incident was preventable and cautioned school administrators to prioritise pupil safety over all else during excursions.
“This incident is a painful reminder to all school authorities: the safety and well-being of children must be treated with the utmost seriousness. Children cannot make decisions for themselves. It is the responsibility of adults, particularly school officials, to ensure every precaution is taken when organising such trips," Kananura said while pointing out that initial findings point to fatigue as a major cause of the crash.
Source: Facebook
Teacher killed, 12 pupils injured in road accident
In other sad news, a teacher passed away following a terrible road accident along the Taita Taveta-Mombasa Highway.
The police report indicated that pupils from Mikindani Primary School had travelled to Voi for a music and drama festival when their bus crashed.
At least 12 pupils were injured and were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment
NTSA's guidelines on Kenyan school buses
In other news, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) issued new guidelines to enhance the safety of Kenyan learners on the roads.
Under the new guidelines, the authority directed buses or vehicles ferrying students to have the words 'school bus' written on the front and back.
Additionally, NTSA ordered the school buses to have a complaint number, where reports about careless driving can be reported.
Under the rules, vehicles ferrying school children are supposed to operate between 5am and 10pm.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
