Kiprotich survives accident, two injured

By Norman Katende

Uganda's London 2012 Olympics marathon gold medallist, Stephen Kiprotich survived in an accident with no injuries when his vehicle swerved off the road and went down the valleys of Kapchorwa Monday afternoon.

Kiprotich, who has been training in Iten, had returned to his home over the weekend to check on his family and also wait for the dust to settle on the Kenyan elections.

He was inside his double cabin vehicle with some athletes when the incident occurred, leaving two of them seriously injured, and have since been transferred to Mbale Hospital.

Kiprotich is currently preparing to take part in the London Marathon, one of the world's top marathons, on April 21.

By press time, Kiprotich’s phone was still off but a source in Kapchorwa confirmed that the long distance runner had been involved in an accident and the vehicle had been towed to Kapchorwa Police station, as investigations into the incident continue.

The athletics federation organising secretary Faustino Kiwa confirmed that the accident had taken place, but was quick to clarify that Kiprotich was not injured.

“But the other people he was travelling with were seriously injured and were admitted. I tried to speak to him on phone but he was still recovering so I advised them to give him some rest,” said Kiwa.

When contacted for comment, the DPC of Kapchorwa, Patrick Bingi said that he could not confirm anything at the time.

“I have not been in office the whole day and I can only know that when I come back to office. That will be around 9pm,” said Bingi.