Scary hours: Eyewitness recalls last moments of crash that killed father and son
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- A father and his son died after their vehicle was crushed by an overturned truck, leaving four children trapped in the wreckage
- An eyewitness shared how he stayed at the scene for hours, talking to the terrified children as rescuers struggled to lift the heavy truck
- The children, who suffered fractures in the crash, gave rescuers their mother's phone number from inside the wreckage
New details have emerged about the horrifying accident that claimed the lives of Kenneth Kaijuka and his son and left four children injured.
Kaijuka's four surviving children suffered fractures after becoming trapped inside the wreckage of their family's saloon car beneath the overturned truck for about four agonising hours.
Ivan Kept the Children Talking
An eyewitness named Ivan has recounted the emotional moments as he tried to comfort the children while they remained trapped as rescuers worked tirelessly to lift the heavy truck without causing further injuries.
Throughout the four hour-rescue, Ivan maintained a steady stream of conversation with them, urging them to hold on and reassuring them that help was on the way.
The children were unable to free themselves, and extracting them safely required careful coordination by the teams at the scene.
At some point during the wait, Ivan asked the children whether they could provide a contact number for a family member.
Children Pulled Free After 4 Hours
They disclosed that their mother had stayed behind at home and was not travelling with the family at the time of the accident.
Despite their distress, they provided her telephone number, allowing those at the scene to reach her and other relatives with news of the accident.
That contact also helped the family coordinate with the rescue effort as it progressed.
Once rescuers managed to lift the overturned truck, all four children were removed from the wreckage and rushed for emergency medical treatment in a police ambulance.
Rescued Kids Receiving Treatment
Each child had sustained fractures in the crash and is currently receiving treatment at the Mubende Regional Referral Hospital.
Kaijuka and his son did not survive the accident. Their bodies were taken to the hospital mortuary to await postmortem examinations.
The four children who were rescued are continuing to receive medical care, and their survival has offered a measure of comfort to a family dealing with profound grief.
Ivan's account has brought into sharp relief both the terror the young survivors endured and the determined response of those who worked to reach them.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.