Ongwediva
Five people, including a baby, died on the spot, while two others are said to be in a critical condition following an accident in which the car they were travelling in collided with an oncoming vehicle at Eenhana at around 15h00 on Sunday.
According to Ohangwena police regional commander Commissioner Tylvas Kampolo, the driver of the Toyota Legend pick-up attempted to overtake a vehicle in front of him, but ended up crashing head-on into an oncoming Honda sedan.
Five people in the Honda, including a baby, died at the scene. The only survivor from the sedan, as well as the driver of the pick-up, are said to be in critical condition at Oshakati Intermediate State Hospital. The driver of a pick-up was the sole occupant of his vehicle at the time.
The deceased were identified as Josef Ndemumana (age unknown), who was also the driver of the sedan, Rachel Paulus, 54, Merjam Shapange (age unknown), Fransina Nghikufilwa, 61, and Baby Grace Nangolo. The baby’s exact age is also not yet known.
Kampolo said the main cause of the carnage on Namibia’s roads is the attitude of the drivers. “The cars that we drive do not have defects, it is the drivers’ attitudes that cause accidents.
“For example, this accident took place in Eenhana, but looking at the impact of the accident, you will not believe that it happened in town. It is obvious that the speed was just too high,” Kampolo said.
Kampolo thus urged drivers to change their attitude towards road safety and to respect the lives of other road users.
A case of capable homicide has been opened.