Tiko Accident: Four die, 15 gravely injured

Four persons have died and at least fifteen others receiving treatment in different hospitals across the Region for injuries sustained following a macabre road accident Tuesday, January 13, at about 6pm, just a few metres away from Likomba bridge, towards the Tiko Council roundabout.

It was kind of a repeat of the 1998 timber truck accident that swept away scores of lives at the famous ‘Fire Bond’ spot in Mutengene and the horror at Mutengene three years ago on February 6, 2012.

Eyewitness accounts say a tipper truck transporting gravel developed brake failure while descending the hill along the Mutengene Police College. The driver, reports said, then meandered with the truck through the town, hitting vehicles along its way before finally falling just metres away from the speed brake around the Likomba Bridge, destroying bread stalls, telephone booths, provision stores and as well trapping occupants.

According to accounts from one Mr.Ngong “the heavily loaded truck descended the Mutengene Police College Hill on a cruising speed clearing everything on its course…along the road. It hit two other vehicles causing some human and material damage… …the unexpected happened as the tanker ran into the busy Likomba bridge area before toppling over…”.

The scene was indescribable; the crowd was mammoth while the security was more than tight. The news spread like wildfire and lines of people who soon struggled to catch a glimpse of the flipped tipper, stretched from the Mutengene side of the road to the Tiko town end towards the roundabout. Traffic was grossly perturbed. Onlookers struggled to take pictures with their phones and miniature cameras.

Many blame the driver for deciding to drive right into town after the brake failure incident whereas, they said, he should rather have diverted into the bush while still descending the hill, to avoid any mass deaths. This accident once more brings to question the reckless manner in which people install phone booths, container stalls, and other petty business points very close to the main roads.

While some wailed and lamented the loss of their loved ones, others this reporter spotted, were jubilating on behalf of those who escaped the accident.