Kenyan long-distance runner and world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum tragically lost their lives in a fatal car accident on the Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road on Sunday night.

The 24-year-old athlete was driving towards Ravine when the unfortunate incident occurred.

The vehicle, carrying Kiptum, his 37-year-old coach, and a 24-year-old female passenger named Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei Keiyo, veered off the road and plunged 60 meters into a ditch before colliding with a tree.

According to the report filed at the Kaptagat Police Station, Kiptum was driving his vehicle, carrying his coach and a female passenger, identified as Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei Keiyo, when they were involved in the devastating accident at Kaptagat Forest around 11 pm.

The vehicle lost control before veering off the road, plunging 60 meters into a ditch and ramming into a tree.

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Kiptum and his coach succumbed to their injuries on the spot, while the female passenger sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.

Fellow athlete and Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge took to his social media to express his condolences over the passing of the man who broke his record.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the Marathon World record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum," Kipchoge said.

"An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness."

"I offer my deepest condolences to his young family. May God comfort you during this trying time," he added.

President William Ruto expressed his condolences, acknowledging Kiptum's exceptional talent and contribution to the world of sports.

"Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record. He was only 24 yet, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London, and in other top competitions. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched," President Ruto stated.

"Kiptum was our future. An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark on the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace." 

Sebastian Coe, President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, also expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Kiptum and his coach.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates, and the Kenyan nation. An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly," Coe remarked.

The bodies of Kiptum and his coach were transferred to the Racecourse Hospital Mortuary in Eldoret, awaiting postmortem examination.

Last year, Kiptum put on an exceptional performance to bag the London Marathon title

The police visited the accident scene to assess the situation before towing the vehicle to the Kaptagat Police Station for further investigation.