A 24-year-old Kenyan woman has reportedly drowned after her car entered a river in Canada, as confirmed by media sources.
The victim, Benina Jepkoech, 24, lost her life in the North Thompson River in Kamloops, British Columbia, approximately 350 kilometers northeast of Vancouver.
According to reports from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Jepkoech’s vehicle entered the river shortly after 6:30pm on Sunday, May 17.
Also in the car was a 21-year-old passenger who was rescued from the river and survived the accident.
Following the identification of Jepkoech, Jacinta Mugo, another Kenyan and a friend of the deceased since 2022, told media outlets that on the day of the incident, her friend visited her home with another individual who needed to borrow a blow dryer.
Mugo stated that after providing the blow dryer, Jepkoech offered to drive the car despite her limited driving experience in Canada.
“She intended to purchase her own vehicle in the future, but she had not driven previously in Canada,” Mugo informed CBC.
During her interview, Mugo, a close friend of Jepkoech, expressed her belief that Jepkoech became frightened when she reached Schubert Drive, a two-lane highway with one lane in each direction.
Jepkoech was accustomed to driving in Kenya, where traffic laws mandate keeping to the left side, unlike in Canada where drivers keep to the right.
“I believe the panic caused her to mistakenly turn the wheels to the right, directing the vehicle toward the river,” Mugo explained.
She added, “Instead of applying the brakes, she likely pressed the accelerator, causing the car to be launched into the river.”
Jepkoech had resided in Canada for roughly a year and had been employed at two different hotels.
“We are prepared for any result, whether she is alive or not, we simply want her to be found,” Mugo stated.