OTJIWARONGO – Twelve people died in three separate road accidents on Friday and Saturday, with one killing eight people north of Otjiwarongo. The other two accidents on Saturday, which occurred in Erongo Region, claimed four lives.

According to Nampa, the deadly accident on Friday afternoon occurred after a collision involving a sedan and pick-up vehicle on the B1 road between Otjiwarongo and Otavi.

The bodies of five adults and three minors were all burnt beyond recognition after both vehicles burst into flames.

New Era understands that a family involved in the accident was returning from a burial of a relative in Outjo.

It is said that seven of those who perished in the accident were all relatives of the woman buried in Outjo – namely her three children, parents, husband and elder sister.

Spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha told Nampa that the accident occurred shortly before 15h00, about five kilometres north of Otjiwarongo.

The sedan was coming from the direction of Otjiwarongo, while the pick-up was driving from Otavi.
A South African couple in the pickup survived the accident with serious injuries. The 63-year-old man was transported to Windhoek for further medical attention, while his 62-year-old wife was admitted to a private hospital in Otjiwarongo.

The eight bodies were transported to Windhoek for forensic examinations.
Mbeha added that the police were still busy trying to establish the cause of the accident.

On Saturday, three police officers stationed in the Erongo Region died in a separate accident.
Briefing the media on Sunday morning, Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu said that the three police officers, two women and their male colleague, were among 12 officers returning from Kamanjab in the Kunene Region in a police Quantum minibus.

The officers were performing official duties in the area and were on their way back to their various work stations.

It is alleged that the left rear tyre of the bus burst, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which overturned. The accident happened about 25 kilometres before Omaruru.

According to the police report, the officers died at the accident scene. Their names were not yet made public as their next of kin were still to be informed.

In a separate incident, one person died on Saturday afternoon about 85 kilometres from Walvis Bay on the gravel road connecting Walvis Bay to Windhoek. He was identified as Jeremia Hoeb (38), who was travelling with two other occupants in the vehicle, one of which was the driver.

The other two occupants sustained serious injuries and are currently admitted in the Walvis Bay State Hospital. Additional reporting by Nampa