Athlete lands in hospital after boyfriend sets her ablaze
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has been hospitalised following a horrific incident where her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, is accused of dousing her with petrol and setting her ablaze.
The accomplished marathon runner, who proudly represented Uganda in various international competitions, including the recent Olympics, was attacked in her home in Endebess, a small town in western Kenya, where she had been training.
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According to reports from the Associated Press, Trans Nzoia County police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom stated that the incident occurred on Sunday, September 1, during a disagreement. It is alleged that Marangach purchased a Jerry can of petrol, poured it on Cheptegei, and ignited the flames.
The 33-year-old athlete has suffered severe burns covering more than 75% of her body. Neighbors came to her rescue immediately after the attack.
The alleged assailant and her partner, was also injured by the flames, according to police.
The two are currently receiving treatment at Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where Cheptegei was admitted to the intensive care unit on Monday.
“The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” Kosiom was quoted as saying.
While the police said investigation was underway, it noted that the athlete and Marangach were a couple who “constantly had family wrangles.
Cheptegei placed 44th in the marathon at the recent Paris Olympics and also secured a gold medal at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
Proofreading by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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