Post-mortem report reveals Kiptum succumbed to severe head injuries

Kenyan running sensation and world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum died of severe head injuries, Dr. Johansen Oduor, Chief Government Pathologist tasked with conducting post-mortem on the 24 year old revealed on Wednesday afternoon.

Odour, who carried out the autopsy on the body of Kiptum at the Eldoret hospital morgue on Wednesday morning following speculation around his death, while speaking to the media, said that in addition to skull fractures - mainly at the base of his skull - the Chicago Marathon champion also suffered numerous rib fractures.

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“Upon doing the post mortem, we found out that Kelvin [Kiptum] had head injuries, there were severe skull fractures which were mainly at the base of the skull.

“The spinal cord had intruded into the spinal cavity because of the fractures. Further to that, there were some fractures to the ribs; on both sides - to the first, second and third on the left side - and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh on the right side.

“There were also contusions on the lungs meaning injuries; so actually what killed Kelvin was head injuries which when I look at them they look more of something caused by a motor vehicle accident.”

In addition, Odour said that he and his team had taken samples for further analysis - full toxicological analysis - since Kiptum’s death is still undergoing investigations.

Probed on what further analysis would entail, Odour said: “Being that this was a person who was driving then suddenly got in an accident and passed on, our question then is: What could have contributed to this? Was there something in the system that could have contributed to this? That’s why we have taken samples for further analysis.”

On Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) undertook a fresh probe into Kiptum’s death, one that involved retracing steps that led to his demise - caused by a motor vehicle accident along the Kaptagat to Eldoret road.

It is reported that the investigating team, led by DCI Director of Homicide Martin Nyuguto, visited Rupas Mall in Kapsoya - where Kiptum is said to have spent time watching a football match - Annex Estate in Eldoret, and his home town of Chepkorio.

The team later spent the afternoon at the scene of the accident, where Kiptum is said to have lost control of the car he was driving alongside Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana and a woman passenger before riding into a ditch for about 60 meters and hitting a big tree.