Kenya's Masai Mara plane crash kills 4
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E-mail Xinhua, August 23, 2012
The death toll from a plane crash in Kenya's famous game reserve has risen to four after one more tourist died later Wednesday.
Regional police commander John Mbijiwe said five Germans, four Americans and two Czechs at the world's famous park injured in the midday crash.
"At least four people -- two Kenyan pilots and two German tourists died as aircraft belonging to Mombasa Air was taking off at Ngeredi airstrip within the Masai Mara Game Reserve," Mbijiwe said by telephone.
He said the plane had 13 passengers including the 2 Kenyan pilots.
Airstrip Manager Daniel Chivai told Xinhua that the plane crashed after dropping some of the tourists from Mombasa and headed for Mara North. The accident occurred while the aircraft was taking off at the world's famous safari destination.
Chivai said the injured were rushed to the hospital by ambulance, adding that the three of the passengers who were trapped in the wreckage were seriously injured.
"We managed to rescue them and (they) were immediately rushed to the hospital by the ambulance," Chivai said. The employee said three of the tourists are in very critical condition and have been rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
He said the flight 5YUV7 twin-engine light aircraft belonging to Mombasa Air was from the coastal city and had dropped some tourists at the world's famous game reserve.
Dozens of foreign tourists have been streaming into the game reserve to witness the annual wildebeest migration.
The peak season in Masai Mara game reserve starts when the migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeests cross from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Kenya.
All airstrips have been very busy as planes ferry visitors from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara.
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