One person has been confirmed dead while eleven others were seriously injured on Thursday evening when a taxi they were traveling in plunged into a valley along the Fort Portal -Bundibugyo Road.
According to Vincent Twesige, the Rwenzori West Police Spokesperson, on Thursday evening a Toyota Hiace car registration number UBC 375B that was traveling from Fort Portal city to Bundibugyo District lost control and veered off the road before plunging into the valley at Rwabuyonyi in Karugutu Sub-county of Ntoroko district.
“There were 14 passengers on board, one of the male passengers died on the spot while nine others were rescued with serious injuries. The Fort Portal – Bundibugyo highway wades through the steep slopes on the foothills of Rwenzori mountain and is characterized by sharp corners. The injured passengers were rushed to Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital for medical attention,” Twesige said.
Twesige cautioned drivers to always be extra careful while driving on this highway, putting into consideration the nature of the route.
Bridget Nalwadda, the Emergency Medical Team Leader at Red Cross Fort Portal Branch, said that they rushed to the scene and were able to rescue and give first aid to the accident victims.
She added that with the help of the Police, they evacuated 11 injured passengers to Fort Portal Referral Hospital for further management.