Modern Coast Accident: Survivor Offers Differing Account Of Last Moments

A survivor of the Modern Coast bus accident that occurred on Wednesday, December 28 at Nyakomisaro River In Kisii County has given his accounts of the fateful final moments before the vehicle plunged into the river.

Speaking to the media, Nicholas Okeyo revealed that the bus which had 43 passengers on board was travelling from Mombasa to Rongo in Migori County and was parked as passengers alighted the bus.

The peaceful proceedings were suddenly interrupted by a loud bang that sent them into panic as the bus began reversing at high speed.

Scene after a Modern Coast bus plunged into Nyakomisaro River In Kisii County on December 28, 2022. /TWITTER.MA3ROUTE

"We were travelling from Mombasa to Rongo. At the time, the car was parked as passengers were alighting. Then suddenly, we heard a loud bang. I suspect that it was the handbrake that had exploded.

"So, we began going in reverse at high speed. While reaching this area, we collided with a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) that was also parked beside the road. The collision ultimately reduced our speed," he noted.

However, the bus would soon begin rolling backwards faster thus plunging into the river and starting to fill up with water.

Okeyo was lucky to stumble upon a passer-by who informed him of the dire situation and help him escape from the bus as well as a majority of passengers.

"The people in the backseat were on the side of the bus which had plunged into the river. Thinking that I was in a dream, the bus began filling with water."

"My mission was to get out of the bus. Fortunately, in the scuffle, I found a passerby who had stretched his hand to help me get out, I informed him that other passengers were stuck inside. The majority of the passengers escaped safely," he added.

At least 19 passengers suffered soft injuries in the Wednesday accident, including five women and two men.

County Health Executive Leah Bwari said those injured suffered soft tissue injuries in the nine o'clock mishap but were treated and discharged.

Okeyo's narration of events seemed to differ from Modern Coast Express' statement that the bus was heading to Homabay in Kisii slid down a slope after its driver panicked.

"Our bus from Mombasa to Homabay in Kisii was reversing down a steep murram road to park down a slope when it hit a matatu. As a result, the driver panicked and the bus slid down and fell on its side into a ditch," it said at the time.

Modern Coast would later stand by its sentiments in another statement that the bus slid into the stream in Masosa area while reversing to park, adding that there were no casualties.