By Ben Musanje
Police have confirmed the heartbreaking death of an American citizen following a horrific collision between a passenger train and a Mitsubishi Pajero at the notorious Wankoko Railway Crossing, located along Spring Road, Jinja Road, on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:25 PM, instantly claiming the life of one victim and leaving several others with serious injuries. The vehicle, identified by its registration number UBF 582X, was carrying four occupants: Mathew Gardener, an adult male; Savana Gardener, his wife; and their two young children— all U.S. citizens who were in Uganda working with the Baptism Mission NGO.
According to police reports, the Gardener family was traveling toward Kampala from Luzira when their vehicle collided with a train heading in the opposite direction, traveling from Kampala to Mukono.
The force of the impact was so powerful that it propelled the Mitsubishi Pajero nearly 200 meters off the road, leaving a scene of utter devastation.
The victims were quickly rushed to Rubis Hospital along the Lugogo Bypass, where they were treated for their injuries. Tragically, despite efforts to save her, Savana Gardener, the co-driver, was pronounced dead upon arrival. The remaining three occupants—her husband and two children—sustained injuries, though their conditions remain undisclosed.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, expressed deep sorrow over the senseless loss of life. “This is a tragedy that has left us all shaken,” he said. “Our initial investigations point to reckless driving and failure to heed the hand signals of the Railway Police officer stationed at the crossing.”
As authorities continue their probe, they are urging the public to exercise caution and follow traffic rules especially at railway crossings, which remain hotspots for fatal accidents. Police are diligently collecting witness statements and have documented the scene in hopes of uncovering more details.
This incident is mysteriously familiar of another deadly crash involving American citizens earlier this year. In July 2025, a similar tragedy unfolded in Kakureiju village, Kanungu District, when an American tourist was killed in a road accident. The crash occurred around 7:00 AM on January 25, when a Toyota Land Cruiser (registration number UAM 271U) lost control on a sharp bend.
The vehicle, driven by 33-year-old Alpha Dadaire from Wakiso District, was carrying four occupants, including three American tourists. As it failed to brake on a steep slope, the vehicle rolled several times before crashing under Kyeshero Bridge. Harrison Evan Shuldman, a 40-year-old from New York, tragically lost his life in the crash.
The other three passengers—Zachary Avayou, 39, from Pennsylvania; Jeremy Frederick Wright, 25, from California; and the driver, Alpha Dadaire—sustained varying degrees of injury. The injured were rushed to Bwindi Hospital for treatment, while Shuldman’s body was also transported there.
Authorities have since towed the vehicle to Kihihi Police Station for inspection, and investigations into the cause of the crash are still underway.
In both cases, the Uganda Police Force has extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and promised to provide further updates as investigations continue. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
