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Casablanca horror crash survivor recuperates

Home National Casablanca horror crash survivor recuperates

Etunda

Twenty-year-old Mbalambala Fidelis, who narrowly survived a horrific accident along the Tsumeb-Oshivelo-Omuthiya road near Casablanca in February has fully recovered.

Her family now plans to conduct a prayer session for her on October 29.
Fidelis survived a deadly crash, in which an omnibus travelling from Windhoek collided head-on with a truck. Both vehicles caught fire upon impact, burning 15 occupants of the omnibus beyond recognition.

The crash sent shockwaves across the country and a mass memorial was conducted in memory of the victims.
The horrific accident left many people wondering whether Fidelis would succumb to her injuries.

She had suffered head injuries that resulted in memory loss, a broken lower jaw, a fractured neck and injuries to her arm.
She was hospitalised at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital for nearly two months, where her abdomen was operated on to stitch closed her liver, which had ruptured in the crash, as well as removing her damaged pancreas.

Despite these life-changing injuries she is now on her way to a full recovery and is already performing some household chores.
“I’ve now recovered, although I still feel pain sometimes in the neck, as well as from my operation. But I can cook and clean, except lifting heavy things,” Fidelis said proudly and thanked her Maker for sparing her life, while her tearful elder sisters sobbed in the background.

Fidelis spoke to New Era at her home at Etunda in the Omusati Region, where she lives with her family.
She was also paid a courtesy visit by Oshikoto Regional Council chairperson Samuel Shivute and Oniipa Constituency Councillor Jerry Gwena, who both donated an amount of N$800 for food or medication, as needed.

A delegation of Oshikoto region al councillors in April paid her visit while she was still in hospital, where they also pledged N$1 200 towards her medication. Councillor for Ruacana Andreas Shintama also pledged N$1 000 towards the organisation of the prayer session.

“We found it fit to visit the victim, because the accident happened in our area of jurisdiction and thus it is logical to check on her and see how she is doing. We cannot desert her like that,” said Shivute while handing over the donation.

Fidelis is in dire need of a job, as she can no longer return to her previous place of work, where she was employed in a bar at Mix Settlement in Windhoek. “

I’m hoping one day I will get a job, but I’m afraid I will not get a similar job, working in a bar, because I’m no longer allowed to be in a noisy place due to some health risks” she said, reiterating that she could not recall anything about the day of the accident and how it happened.

“I can only remember the journey from Windhoek to Otavi service station. As for the rest I was only informed by the nurses and relatives of what happened when I tried to find out why I was in hospital,” she said, as her siblings kept weeping.

Fidelis was on her way to attend a funeral of an uncle at Okalongo – who had drowned in a canal – when the accident occurred.
She appealed for any assistance as she hopes to upgrade her school results and pursue a career.