The death toll in a road accident along the Kisumu-Nairobi road has increased to 17 after six passengers, who had previously sustained injuries, succumbed while receiving medical care at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

Nyanza traffic commandant Allan Mwangi says the Monday dawn accident occurred in the Othoo area, eight kilometers from Awasi.

Confirming the incident, Mwangi indicated that it involved a bus en route to Nairobi and a lorry heading toward Kisumu.

Following the ill-fated bus, a third vehicle, a Nissan, also got damaged.

Mwangi stated that 53 other people were evacuated to various hospitals with injuries.

Locals, police, and the Red Cross team rushed to the scene to rescue those who were trapped inside.

Those injured were rushed to Ahero sub-county hospital and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

“The wreckages have been towed to Ahero police station pending further investigations,” said Mwangi.