A 22-year-old nursing student, Jacobeth Jeptoo, has given a gut-wrenching account of the tragic moments she faced while rushing to the scene of a fatal helicopter crash in Nandi County.
Jeptoo, who studies at Kendu Adventist School of Medical Sciences, was among the first to arrive, accompanied by her mother, Magdalene Bitok, after hearing a loud explosion.
Without hesitation, she immediately put her training to use, assessing victims with the ABC emergency protocol and attempting to save lives under chaotic conditions.
The crash left a scene of devastation, with multiple casualties and survivors in critical condition, testing her skills and composure.
Jeptoo recounted the horror she encountered:
“Four people died instantly. Two were still alive. One raised his hand, but another died five minutes later.”
She described one victim showing severe internal bleeding, with blood emerging from his mouth, nose, and ears.
Despite her immediate intervention, he tragically passed away in her arms after nearly 30 minutes of effort.
Armed only with gloves and basic nursing knowledge, she emphasized that her actions were motivated purely by duty, even though she did not personally know any of the victims.
Speaking to the public, Jeptoo urged Kenyans to learn basic first-aid skills and called for enhanced training and resources for Community Health Promoters, noting that early intervention could save lives before professional emergency teams arrive.
Her emotional account highlights both the bravery of ordinary citizens in crises and the urgent need for better preparedness in responding to accidents.
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