She Ran Toward the Flames: Nursing Student Hailed Hero After Helicopter Carrying MP Crashed

Grief engulfed the country following a tragic helicopter crash in Mosop, Nandi County, that claimed the lives of Johanna Ngeno, Member of Parliament for Emuru-Adikire, and five others.

The crash occurred on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Jebkiye village, sending shockwaves across the quiet rural community.

Residents were startled by a deafening bang before thick black smoke billowed into the sky.

As confusion gripped villagers who hesitated, unsure of how to respond to the burning wreckage, one young woman stepped forward without hesitation.

“The plane was still on fire”-A mother’s account

Among the first on the scene was 22-year-old Jacobeth Jeptoo, a nursing student at Kendu Adventist School of Medical Sciences.

Though she had not yet sat her final examinations to obtain a practicing license, Jeptoo relied on her training and instincts.

Recounting the terrifying moments, Jeptoo’s mother said:

“The plane was still on fire, and there was another person nearby who was still alive. Jeptoo pressed on that person and realized he was still alive. She then went back home, took some gloves and a sheet, and ran back to the scene.”

Also Read: Passenger Recounts Moments Aboard Helicopter That Killed MP Johana Ng’eno

By the time she returned, the reality was grim.

Jeptoo recalled:

“Four people died instantly. Two are still alive. One raised his hand. Another one died after five minutes. He had an assessment on the ABC. He had internal bleeding, and later the bleeding was seen from the nose, mouth, and ears.”

Choosing Action Over Fear

Armed with gloves and the basic emergency response skills she had learned in school, Jeptoo began assisting the injured.

Despite not knowing any of the victims personally, she says her training guided her actions.

“Actually, at the scene, I didn’t know any soul there. We were just trying to help as nurses and just advising each patient the way we were taught. You are supposed to take care of any patient like your own soul, like your own family member.”

Her bravery stood out in a moment when many were paralyzed by shock.

Call for Better Emergency Preparedness

While Jeptoo did everything within her power, she says the tragedy exposed serious gaps in local emergency preparedness.

“The CHPs came there, but also, the CHPs had no emergency equipment. The gloves that I gave them and the mask were mine. As much as we are waiting for the emergencies, there are some basic things that the CHPs should have.”

She emphasized the urgent need for Kenyans to acquire basic first aid and disaster response skills and called for better training and equipping of Community Health Promoters (CHPs).

Residents of Nandi County have since urged authorities to improve road networks and emergency response infrastructure, noting that one of the victims who survived for nearly 30 minutes might have had a better chance had help arrived sooner.

Though praised as a hero, Jeptoo says the emotional toll has been immense.

Her mother described the trauma that followed:

“When I got out of the house at 3 o’clock, I was taken away. I sat on the ground, I sat on the ground. I got up. I told the children, when you go back to school, what will I do in this house?”

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Jeptoo herself remains haunted by the memory of a victim who showed signs of life for nearly half an hour.

“As much as I’ve seen so many emergencies, at least those emergencies where you are not working alone, you work with people. I’m so sorry, I feel so sorry about this.”

“The thing that traumatized me is the person who stayed up to 30 minutes. There were signs of life that that person could have also made it, but I just watched him dying in my arms with the little help that I gave him. It was so sad.”

Nursing Council Commends Jeptoo’s Courage

In an appreciation message, the Nursing Council of Kenya lauded Jeptoo’s bravery and professionalism.

“We commend the courage and professionalism of Nurse Jeptoo, whose selfless response to the Mosop helicopter crash reflects the compassion and resilience of the nursing profession. Our condolences to the affected families, and we stand in solidarity with all frontline responders.”

Her actions have touched the hearts of many Kenyans, with growing calls for the government to formally recognize her bravery.

Even as the nation mourns, the story of Jacobeth Jeptoo stands as a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make in the darkest of moments.

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A photo collage of Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno and chopper crash in Mosop, Nandi County. PHOTO/UGC.