How swift response from police saved many lives after fuel tanker overturned
By Kevin CheruiyotThe swift action of police officers at the scene of a fuel tanker accident on Thika Superhighway early Thursday morning prevented what could possibly have led to yet another fuel tragedy that have become common in the country.
Moments after the tanker overturned at Roysambu’s cash wash area, members of the public rushed to the scene to siphon fuel that was spilling from the tanker.
Police were informed about the accident and swiftly moved to the scene of the accident where they managed to control the crowd that was swelling by the minute, ready to siphon the spilling fuel.
According to Kasarani Deputy Sub-County Police Commander Purity Muthoni Wahome, the driver of the tanker lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid hitting another vehicle.
“When we received reports of the accident, we moved in very fast to control the crowd because we know the habits of members of the public when such accidents happen,” Wahome said.
Kenya Defence Forces soldiers from Kahawa Barracks, GSU officers and the disaster management team also arrived at the scene shortly. The police also used water cannons to keep off members of the public who attempted to breach the security cordon.
“No one managed to siphon the fuel and no one was injured during the incident,” Wahome said.
Unlike the past incidents, where multiple fatalities have been reported following attempts by members of the public to siphon fuel from such scenes, the security team at the scene of Thursday’s accident managed to keep members of the public at bay, in the process averting a possible tragedy.
The KDF team used water cannons to stop the spillage with foam. The security team also blocked drainages.
The morning accident led to closure of the busy highway for the better part of the day as the security agencies battled to contain the situation.
Late on Thursday afternoon, the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) said the highway had been partially reopened to allow traffic flow.
Strangely, though, throughout the whole incident, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) was conspicuously missing at the scene.