Modern Coast: 24 Dead, Scores Injured as Bus Plunges into River Nithi

By Kevin Koech

Posted on 25 July 2022

Scores have been feared dead and several others injure after a Mombasa-bound Modern Coast bus plunged into River Nithi.

The accident that has shocked the nation happened some 40 minutes past 6 pm on Sunday, July 24.

Confirming the incident, Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner Nobert Komora said the 57-seater PSV veered off the road and plunged 40 metres into the river killing 24 people.

Moments after the grisly accident, images online showed bodies scattered around the bus which was badly written off.

“We are sadly announcing to the nation that this evening we have lost 24 people in a grisly Modern Coast Bus accident at the notorious Nithi River bridge along the Meru-Nairobi highway,” Komora stated.

The injured were rushed to Chuka County Referral Hospital and PCEA Chogoria Mission Hospital while the bodies were taken to mortuaries in the same hospitals.

Ugly scenes after a Mombasa-bound Modern Coast bus plunged 40m into River Nithi.

24 people confirmed dead, several others injured.

Video: Courtesy pic.twitter.com/FZuL181jzO

— Koech (@realkevin_koech) July 25, 2022

According to media reports, the bus brakes failed while the driver was approaching the bridge causing him to hit the guard rails and plunging into the river.

Tharaka Nithi County Police Commander Donatha Chali said the driver of the bus approached the bridge at high speed and ignored the traffic signs alerting motorists to slow down.

“Police officers will remain at the scene for the whole night to ensure that no person interferes with the scattered property until the operation resumes Monday morning,” she said.