Road mayhem claims dozens
The Namibian police are appealing for family and friends of the ten people who died in a mass casualty accident between Okahandja and Karibib on Sunday night to come forward and help identify them.
The crash took place about 20km west of Okahandja when a VW Golf and a GWM collided head on and caught fire. Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi of the Namibian Police said that nine people, including a baby that had been travelling in the Golf, died on the spot. A tenth person died later.
“The victims are not yet identified as many are burnt beyond recognition. We appeal to the family members of those who were involved in the accident to visit the Windhoek police mortuary and submit DNA sample for recognition purposes,” Shikwambi said. The police said the cause of the crash was not yet clear, but witnesses reported that the driver of one of the vehicles tried to pass several cars at high speed and was unable to avoid the oncoming vehicle.
Scenes of horror unfolded, according to some witnesses, when the people trapped in the cars were unable to get out while the cars were burning.
The Sunday accident brought the total death toll from car crashes just over the weekend to at least 19.
Four people died on the C43 gravel road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, while three grade 8 learners died instantly in a car crash 30km northeast of Outjo on Sunday.
A Quantum bus driver died on Saturday when a man driving a Nissan slammed into the bus when he ignored a red light.
In the Oshikoto Region, a man lost control and overturned the car he was driving on Saturday night. He died at the scene, while two passengers escaped unharmed.
The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund yesterday confirmed that 3 660 crashes had been recorded from the beginning of January until Sunday.
Those accidents killed 695 people and injured 6 420.
Since the start of the 2017/2018 festive season road safety campaign on 22 November, 27 people have died and 184 were injured in 111 crashes.
“Road accidents can never be over-emphasised and therefore the police continue to caution and remind all motorists to uphold the rules and regulations of the road, to rest when they are fatigued and to avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol,” Shikwambi said.
“Additionally, we request all to respect their own lives and exercise extreme caution and consideration when on the road.”
Those who suspect their relatives were involved in Sunday's crash can contact Warrant Officer Oscar Shatipamba at 081 273 5188.
- Additional reporting by Nampa
JANA-MARI SMITH
The crash took place about 20km west of Okahandja when a VW Golf and a GWM collided head on and caught fire. Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi of the Namibian Police said that nine people, including a baby that had been travelling in the Golf, died on the spot. A tenth person died later.
“The victims are not yet identified as many are burnt beyond recognition. We appeal to the family members of those who were involved in the accident to visit the Windhoek police mortuary and submit DNA sample for recognition purposes,” Shikwambi said. The police said the cause of the crash was not yet clear, but witnesses reported that the driver of one of the vehicles tried to pass several cars at high speed and was unable to avoid the oncoming vehicle.
Scenes of horror unfolded, according to some witnesses, when the people trapped in the cars were unable to get out while the cars were burning.
The Sunday accident brought the total death toll from car crashes just over the weekend to at least 19.
Four people died on the C43 gravel road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, while three grade 8 learners died instantly in a car crash 30km northeast of Outjo on Sunday.
A Quantum bus driver died on Saturday when a man driving a Nissan slammed into the bus when he ignored a red light.
In the Oshikoto Region, a man lost control and overturned the car he was driving on Saturday night. He died at the scene, while two passengers escaped unharmed.
The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund yesterday confirmed that 3 660 crashes had been recorded from the beginning of January until Sunday.
Those accidents killed 695 people and injured 6 420.
Since the start of the 2017/2018 festive season road safety campaign on 22 November, 27 people have died and 184 were injured in 111 crashes.
“Road accidents can never be over-emphasised and therefore the police continue to caution and remind all motorists to uphold the rules and regulations of the road, to rest when they are fatigued and to avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol,” Shikwambi said.
“Additionally, we request all to respect their own lives and exercise extreme caution and consideration when on the road.”
Those who suspect their relatives were involved in Sunday's crash can contact Warrant Officer Oscar Shatipamba at 081 273 5188.
- Additional reporting by Nampa
JANA-MARI SMITH
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