TSUMEB – A head-on collision involving a Toyota Quantum minibus and a Volvo S60 sedan killed three people and injured 13 on the Tsumeb-Oshivelo road.
Ruled an “accident” the 20h00 crash occurred 20 kilometres from Tsumeb. Police said the Volvo tried to overtake at a curve when the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with the minibus head-on.
The impact of the two cars was so powerful the minibus overturned while the Volvo was flung 100 metres from the road with its engine being flung from the car’s body and was found in the grass far from the initial crash impact.
According to Deputy Commissioner Naomi Katjiua three people died on the spot – two of the three travelling in the Volvo S60, while one of the 13 people in the Toyota Quantum had his legs severed.
A single female passenger walked away barely unscathed apart from a few scratches. The driver of the minibus sustained minor injuries, while the other driver and eleven others barely escaped with their lives and were immediately rushed to Tsumeb hospital.
The deceased were identified as Anna Nakandaugile Nakanwe (19), Amon Kautondokwa Shimhanda (44) and Simon Iipinge (35) and their next of kin have been notified.
“When I arrived on the scene there was carnage everywhere on the road, screams of pain, panic and chaos filled the air. I do not know what really happened because everyone was injured. There was no time for questions. I immediately identified myself as law enforcement and proceeded to attend to the injured, handing out blankets and assistance,” said Katjiua.
Emergency response teams literally had to cut open the Volvo in order to get people out. It is believed the Volvo was travelling at over 250 kilometres an hour, a speed it is able to achieve in under 40 seconds.
At the grim scene of the accident the Volvo’s speedometer was left frozen at 215 kilometres – a clear indicator the car was indeed well over the 120km/h speed limit, authorities said.
In an interview with New Era at Tsumeb hospital Mithima Chequerara (28) the Quantum driver maintained he was driving within the legal speed limit.
Although some details were still sketchy he admitted the collision was inevitable.
“The Volvo driver must have lost control at the curve and the car came at us so fast there was no time to hit the brakes – I just moved as far out of the way as I possibly could to avoid a head-on collision but it was unavoidable,” said Chequerara.
The passenger who walked away with a few scratches was identified as Cathrene Ashikoto (23) who is allegedly a marketing executive in the north.
When told she had a smudge of blood on her chin and cheek the grateful Ashikoto replied, “I am just glad to be alive.”
Another passenger Alina Hango (30) who was on her way to attend her older sister’s funeral described the ordeal as horrific.
According to Chequerara the accident could have been avoided if only the rules of the road had been adhered to and he went on to advise other road users to be more considerate.
“Especially truck drivers who do not like to dim their bright lights for other road users,” said Chequerara.
Deputy Police Commissioner Katjiua urged motorists to adhere to the speed limits and respect the signs of the road, inclusive of the road markings that prohibit overtaking when there are solid lines, blind crests or curves.
By John Travolter Matali