A fatal accident involving three vehicles in Iganga District claimed the life of a US national, David Stainer on Monday.
The accident occurred Monday evening near Iganga Hospital in Iganga town when a Toyota primo which was being carried on a breakdown vehicle fell off and rammed into a coaster belonging to Hotel Africana in which a group of tourists were travelling to Mbale District.
The coaster was carrying 17 people, nine of whom sustained injuries and were rushed to Iganga Hospital.
Mr Stainer and his group were in Uganda for the Nile Diaspora International Film Festival to screen their documentary, and school officials said they were working with the US Embassy and elected officials to get the students and adults back to Chicago as quickly as possible.
The regional police spokesman for Busoga East James Mubi confirmed the incident saying that Mr Stainer was run over by the coaster as he tried to jump to out for safety.
Steiner’s fiancée Diane Silverberg opted stayed behind for the trip. She released a statement, saying, “David died as he lived: Selflessly bringing joy to others, no matter the distance or complexity. In one of his last texts to me, he remarked that the joy they were bringing to the Sudanese refugees and to the children from Englewood who accompanied him had made all the challenges of the trip worthwhile.”