Lorry plunges into ocean at Likoni ferry channel

By Harrison Kivisu.

A truck driver and his turnboy escaped death by a whisker on Tuesday, when a lorry they were travelling in lost control and slid into the Indian Ocean at the Likoni ferry channel.

The truck belonging to Mombasa Maize Millers was transporting wheat and maize flour to Kwale County when it plunged into the ocean.

Witnesses say the lorry had just disembarked from the ferry on the Kwale end and was being driven up the ramp, when its acceleration and braking systems glitched at 9:30am.

The Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) management said the lorry, consequently, reversed into the ocean.

It is suspected bulky cargo on the truck contributed to the vehicle’s system failure.

“The occupants escaped unhurt,” said KFS in a statement to newsrooms.

The accident forced the ferry agency to reschedule its operations, resulting in traffic congestion at the channel.

The driver of the lorry, Salim Musa, and his turn boy, Katana Ali, were transporting the food stuff valued at Ksh600, 000 to South Coast, when the incident occurred.

Musa said the “slippery ramp following heavy rains” was to blame for the accident.

“We were to supply the goods to our clients, but the saline water has completely destroyed the flour. This is a total loss,” Ali, the turnboy, said.

It took at least five hours to pull the vehicle out of the water.