Several school children were severely injured this morning, after a 14-seater van they were travelling in overturned along Thika Road near Garden City Mall.
The van, which was not painted yellow as required for school transport vehicles, lost control and rolled into a ditch by the roadside. The accident happened during the busy morning rush hour as the children were being taken to school.
Eyewitnesses reported that the driver appeared to be speeding and attempted to overtake another vehicle before the van swerved off the road and overturned. The loud crash caught the attention of nearby motorists and pedestrians, who rushed to help immediately.
With some of the children trapped inside, good Samaritans worked together to rescue them before emergency services arrived. The injured pupils were later taken to nearby hospitals by ambulance. By the time of reporting, no deaths had been confirmed, but several of the children were reported to have serious injuries.
The accident has raised concerns about the handling of school transport in the country. According to rules by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), vehicles used in ferrying school children must meet specific safety standards. These include being painted yellow for easy visibility, having seat belts for every child, working red warning lights, and stop signs on the sides to alert other drivers.
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The NTSA also requires such vehicles to be equipped with GPS trackers and cameras to monitor both the road and the vehicle’s interior. Drivers should have a special license, pass regular medical checks, and have a clean driving and criminal record. Attendants must also be adequately trained and hold the necessary permits.
This incident has once again reminded parents, schools, and authorities about the dangers of using unregulated vehicles to transport children. Many are now calling on the government to enforce school transport rules strictly and to take action against drivers and vehicle owners who put children’s lives at risk.
By Benedict Aoya
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