HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK FLOODS CLAIM SEVERAL LIVES
(One of the Hells Gate National Park gorges often traversed by adventure tourists)
News of a tragic accident emerged on Sunday when it became known that a church group of young men and women on a day retreat yesterday morning to the Hells Gate National Park near Naivasha got trapped in a gorge by flash floods and several of them were drowned as the raging waters carried them away beyond the help of their guides and mates. As many as 10 members of the group were initially reported missing and at least one body had been retrieved by rescuers sent to the scene by KWS and other volunteers like the Kenya Red Cross, but hopes to find any further survivors were deemed slim at best. Rescuers were working deep into Sunday night and will resume their recovery efforts again at first light on Monday morning.
Kenya as well as other parts of Eastern Africa have been hit in recent days by freak storms and way above average rainfall and rain and flood related deaths have been reported from other parts of Kenya too over the weekend, underscoring how serious the weather conditions have become. Hundreds of people have been rendered homeless as their houses were flooded or washed away. Mike Rainy, a friend who has lived for the past two decades outside the Kenyan town of Kajiado in the Melepo Hills, described the weekends storms as the heaviest rains he had ever seen since taking up residence there and safari operators in parks and game reserves affected by the heavy rains have reportedly advised their drivers and safari clients to be prepared for very poor road conditions in sections of the parks.
Condolences are expressed to the families and friends of the victims of this tragic accident.
Visit this website for more information on the park: http://www.kws.org/parks/parks_reserves/HGNP.html
Posted by Mwaniki, Naivasha resident guide on April 23, 2012 at 08:49
I send my condolences to the affected family and friends. The kws should forewarn visitors from walking down the gorge when stormy. Train local guides on rescue and first aid method. Create loopholes to mitigate future incidents at the gorge.
Posted by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands on April 23, 2012 at 09:01
Thank you for your contribution and thanks for reading my blog.
W.
Posted by RACHEL on April 23, 2012 at 15:14
Condolences to the family and friends. May the Souls of their loved ones rest in Eternal Peace. I was there with my family two weeks ago over Easter, how surprising at the different weather extremes-while there it was very hot and now the place is flooded.
Posted by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands on April 23, 2012 at 15:27
I am sure those who lost relatives and friends will take comfort from your condolences.
Thanks for reading my blog.
W.
Posted by RAHAB NDUNGU on April 24, 2012 at 10:10
It is sad. I feel this could have been avoided if the guides had stayed alert to weather changes – after all that is why they are there, to guide and forewarn. I feel terrible thatthose kids perished but also take comfort in the knowledge that God will watch over their families and give them peace. May those who’ve gone find rest on The Father’s Bossom. Amen.
R.G.M
Posted by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands on April 24, 2012 at 11:05
Thank you Rahab for your thoughtful contribution.
And thank you for reading my blog.
W.
Posted by Robert mwangi on April 27, 2012 at 21:52
May the Almighty wipes the tears of our beloved ones.
Posted by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands on April 28, 2012 at 05:31
Thank you for your warm sentiments, and thanks for reading my blog.
W.
Posted by michell123 on May 14, 2012 at 14:34
Its really very painful. Even after taking lot of precautions we can not avoid such mus-happenings.
corporate events
Posted by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands on May 15, 2012 at 00:15
Even weeks after the tragic events the pain is still fresh and for families and friends will remain for a long time to come.
Thank you for reading my blog.
W.
Posted by Victoria Nwogu on May 24, 2012 at 14:20
Is the park open again?
Posted by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands on May 24, 2012 at 14:47
It actually never closed.
Thanks for reading my blog.
W.
Posted by Rose Moraa on November 16, 2012 at 10:29
I do love visiting the gorge but after the tragic disaster i was very thoughtful of it. my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
Posted by Aviation, tourism, travel and conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands on November 16, 2012 at 10:30
Thanks for remembering the tragedy, and for reading my blog.
W.