In a tragic turn of events, a Probox vehicle transporting a dead body to the morgue was involved in an unfortunate accident. The incident occurred on a busy highway, creating a scene that left many bystanders in shock and disbelief. This Probox, a common mode of transport for many Kenyans, especially in rural areas, was on its way to the mortuary when the incident unfolded.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Probox was speeding and attempting to overtake a truck when the driver lost control. The vehicle veered off the road and rolled multiple times before coming to a halt in a ditch. The Probox was carrying the deceased’s family members, who were escorting the body to its final resting place. Unfortunately, some of the passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment.
This tragic event highlights the risks often associated with transporting bodies in private or non-professional vehicles, which are not designed for such purposes. In Kenya, due to the high cost of professional funeral services, many families opt for cheaper alternatives such as using private cars, including Proboxes, to ferry bodies to mortuaries and burial sites. While this is understandable given the economic constraints, it often exposes the mourners to unnecessary dangers, as was evident in this incident.
The police arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest that the Probox may have been overloaded, which could have contributed to the driver losing control of the vehicle. Authorities have once again urged the public to prioritize safety and consider using professional services when transporting bodies, to avoid such tragic incidents.
As the families of the deceased and the injured come to terms with this double tragedy, the accident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for more affordable and safe alternatives for body transportation in Kenya.
