NAIROBI, Kenya — Three people were burnt beyond recognition after a speeding car lost control, crashed into a pedestrian footbridge and burst into flames along Raila Odinga Way in Nairobi in the early hours of Saturday, police have confirmed.
The victims died at the scene after the vehicle caught fire moments after the impact, in one of the city’s most shocking road crashes in recent months.
Police said the remains of the three occupants were recovered from the wreckage and transferred to the Nairobi Funeral Home for identification and postmortem examinations.
According to preliminary investigations, the driver lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the carriageway and rammed into the pedestrian footbridge near the Riara University junction.
The force of the impact left the vehicle lodged on the footbridge staircase before it was engulfed in flames.
Videos circulating on social media showed the vehicle completely consumed by fire as thick black smoke rose into the sky, attracting scores of motorists and residents who gathered at the scene.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and police officers, later extinguished the blaze before recovery teams removed the charred wreckage.
Driver believed to have lost control
Police said early investigations indicate the driver may have lost control before the crash, although the exact circumstances remain under investigation.
Investigators are expected to examine factors including speed, mechanical condition of the vehicle and possible driver impairment before determining the cause of the accident.
Traffic officers documented the scene as forensic investigators collected evidence to assist in reconstructing the sequence of events.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims pending notification of their next of kin.
Crash leaves motorists stunned
The unusual position in which the vehicle came to rest left many road users questioning how it managed to climb onto the pedestrian footbridge.
Witnesses who arrived shortly after the crash described hearing a loud bang before flames erupted from the vehicle.
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The fire spread rapidly, leaving little opportunity for rescue before emergency services arrived.
Traffic slowed considerably along sections of Raila Odinga Way as motorists reduced speed to observe the recovery operation.
Police later cleared the scene after towing away the burnt wreckage.
Road safety concerns
The tragedy adds to growing concern over fatal road crashes in Kenya, particularly those linked to speeding and loss of vehicle control.
According to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), speeding remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes alongside dangerous overtaking, drunk driving and failure to observe traffic regulations.
Road safety experts have repeatedly urged motorists to observe speed limits, especially on urban highways where pedestrian crossings, footbridges and junctions significantly increase crash risks.
Police said investigations into Saturday’s fatal accident are continuing.
