Education
Death toll in Kapchorwa bus crash rises to 24 — Police
Authorities said 18 of the deceased have so far been identified by their families, while six bodies remain unidentified.
Police said investigations into the exact cause of Thursday's bus crash in Kapchorwa are ongoing. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)
By: John Musenze, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - The death toll from Thursday's bus crash in Kapchorwa district involving pupils of King David Junior School has risen to 24 after three more pupils succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment, Police said.
Initially, 21 occupants of the ill-fated bus, including 20 pupils, died on the spot.
Now the number has risen to 24, according to the latest update from the Uganda Police Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, which also indicates that 23 survivors remain admitted at Kapchorwa Hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the crash.
The crash happened at Kaserem along the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road at around 8pm on Thursday as the Ndejje-bound pupils were returning from a school trip at Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa.
Authorities said 18 of the deceased have so far been identified by their families, while six bodies remain unidentified.
Three of the unidentified bodies are at Kapchorwa Hospital and three are at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital awaiting identification.
The crash happened at Kaserem along the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road at around 8pm on Thursday as the Ndejje-bound pupils were returning from a school trip at Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa.
Authorities said 18 of the deceased have so far been identified by their families, while six bodies remain unidentified.
Three of the unidentified bodies are at Kapchorwa Hospital and three are at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital awaiting identification.
All surviving pupils who did not require admission have since been transported safely back to Kampala aboard a Gateway Bus. Police also revealed that the driver of the school bus has not yet been formally identified but is believed to be among the critically injured patients receiving treatment in Mbale.
According to Traffic Police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura, preliminary investigations indicated that the driver lost control of the bus (UA 108BQ), before it veered off the road, struck a large roadside rock and overturned.
Police said investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.
Following the tragic crash, the government suspended all school tours and trips as it works on school road guidelines to ensure the safety of learners.
According to Traffic Police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura, preliminary investigations indicated that the driver lost control of the bus (UA 108BQ), before it veered off the road, struck a large roadside rock and overturned.
Police said investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.
Following the tragic crash, the government suspended all school tours and trips as it works on school road guidelines to ensure the safety of learners.