Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-13 17:01:19
Investigation into the fatal car crash which claimed the lives of World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizamana has shown that the vehicle had no mechanical problems. The examination of Kelvin Kiptum’s Toyota Premio found that the vehicle was mechanically fit in all aspects. Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Peter Mulinge revealed that according to the investigator’s assessment, there was no pre-accident evidence of a mechanical breakdown. The vehicle had good breaks, tires, and lights, and it was deemed to be in good condition.
The accident occurred on the Eldoret -Ravine Road when Kiptum was driving with two passengers on board. The police report stated that the examination of the vehicle ruled out any mechanical problems, and that investigators suspect the vehicle might have been traveling at high speed due to the impact of the crash.
A combined team of investigators from various agencies including the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), and police are handling the probe. They have been piecing together events surrounding the accident and are looking at both the terrain of the area and the mechanical state of the vehicle to develop a comprehensive report. The team expects to have the report ready soon.
Investigators are also waiting for the post-mortem report of the athlete and his coach for further clues. Additionally, they plan to speak to witnesses who arrived at the scene first. Police Commander Mulinge emphasized that they need more information to reach a conclusion so the investigation will continue.
Kiptum’s family has been vocal about stopping the spread of rumors and misinformation on social media platforms. The family has requested privacy and the respectful mourning of their son. They urged people to trust information from official sources and not to rely on unverified reports. They are also waiting for guidance from the government before setting a date for the burial.
Kiptum’s tragic death occurred just after achieving his world marathon record of 2:00:35 last year. He was pursuing a new record at the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14 this year. His family and the athletic community are still grieving his loss and are anxious for the release of the full report from the ongoing investigation into the accident. Social media users have been asked to be mindful of the pain the family is going through, and to abstain from spreading unconfirmed information. In the meantime, the investigators continue their work to deliver a comprehensive report on the accident.
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