Children dehydrate to death on long walk
A destitute family embarked on the dangerously long journey in the humid south after dozens of motorists apparently refused to give them a lift.
Two children died of suspected dehydration while trying to walk from Keetmanshoop to a farm near Tses, Detective Chief Inspector Jesaias Higoam of the /Karas police has confirmed to Namibian Sun.
Ten-year-old Laurentius Thobias and five-year-old Lentina Kooper died of exposure, while the girl's mother, 50-year-old Theresa Kooper, is in a serious condition in the Keetmanshoop State Hospital.
Two other members of the family who were fortunate to survive the ordeal, 15-year-old Germina Thobias and 13-year-old Immanuel Thobias, were treated and discharged into the care of their families, Higoam said upon enquiry.
According to community crime fighter Sean Naude, the family had sought a lift from Keetmanshoop to Tses on 31 December.
All efforts to secure a lift failed, prompting the family to make the almost 51-kilometre journey on foot.
“They were on their way to a farm near Tses. They stood all day waiting for a lift. After they did not find a lift, they decided to walk,” Naude said.
Alarm was raised when the group of five did not show up, prompting volunteers to send out a search party, Naude said.
“On 3 January a search party went out. They found the grandmother under a tree; she was in a critical condition. The children had left her and decided to go and look for help; they were in a bad condition when they were found,” he said. According to him, the ten-year-old girl was found dead while the youngest, a boy aged five, was still missing.
“The next day [4 January] we sent out another search party and found the boy under a bridge near the main road to Tses. His body had already started to decompose,” Naude said.
“Our condolences go out to the loved ones and all who were involved. We thank all who helped; just sad somebody couldn't have helped them with a lift to avoid this tragedy. Please pray for the others who are still in Keetmanshoop hospital recovering,” he said.
OGONE TLHAGE
Ten-year-old Laurentius Thobias and five-year-old Lentina Kooper died of exposure, while the girl's mother, 50-year-old Theresa Kooper, is in a serious condition in the Keetmanshoop State Hospital.
Two other members of the family who were fortunate to survive the ordeal, 15-year-old Germina Thobias and 13-year-old Immanuel Thobias, were treated and discharged into the care of their families, Higoam said upon enquiry.
According to community crime fighter Sean Naude, the family had sought a lift from Keetmanshoop to Tses on 31 December.
All efforts to secure a lift failed, prompting the family to make the almost 51-kilometre journey on foot.
“They were on their way to a farm near Tses. They stood all day waiting for a lift. After they did not find a lift, they decided to walk,” Naude said.
Alarm was raised when the group of five did not show up, prompting volunteers to send out a search party, Naude said.
“On 3 January a search party went out. They found the grandmother under a tree; she was in a critical condition. The children had left her and decided to go and look for help; they were in a bad condition when they were found,” he said. According to him, the ten-year-old girl was found dead while the youngest, a boy aged five, was still missing.
“The next day [4 January] we sent out another search party and found the boy under a bridge near the main road to Tses. His body had already started to decompose,” Naude said.
“Our condolences go out to the loved ones and all who were involved. We thank all who helped; just sad somebody couldn't have helped them with a lift to avoid this tragedy. Please pray for the others who are still in Keetmanshoop hospital recovering,” he said.
OGONE TLHAGE
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