By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
The festive season started on a grim note over the weekend, with three people burnt to death after their sedan vehicle collided with a truck on the main road south of Kalkrand in the Hardap Region.
The accident occurred just a few minutes after midnight on Friday when the blue Nissan Maxima sedan crashed into the truck, resulting in the death of three people and seriously injuring four others. The driver of the truck escaped with slight injuries.
“The sedan reportedly burst into flames and all occupants burnt to death,” states the latest police crime bulletin.
The three deceased have been identified as John van Wyk (55), Christie Bester (58) and Attie de Waal (24).
At Tsumeb in the Oshikoto Region, 10 people were also injured in an accident.
The police there have now opened a case of reckless driving after these people were involved in an accident on the road between Oshivelo and Tsumeb last Thursday.
It is reported that the tyre of a Toyota bakkie burst, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle overturned. All in all, 10 people were reportedly in the bakkie at the time of the accident.
Three of the 10 passengers sustained minor injuries, while one sustained a serious head injury. The rest are reported to have sustained no injuries.
In another incident in the Otjozondjupa Region, a 25-year-old Japanese national died about nine kilometres from Outjo on Friday at about 15h30, after the vehicle he was travelling in overturned. He was said to be the only occupant in the car at the time of the accident.
It is in view of these accidents that the Namibian police are cautioning all public road users particularly drivers to adhere to road signs and traffic regulations at all times.
This is the time of the year when many people travel long distances to their holiday destinations.
The police are also appealing to anybody who may observe inconsiderate drivers on the road to immediately call (061) 222 888 and give the particulars of the motor vehicle, time and part of the road. Any person involved in an accident must call the following emergency number – 081 96 82.
In other crime, a case of rape was reported at Oshivelo in the Oshikoto Region last Wednesday between 01h00 and 05h00. The crime occurred after a 21-year-old (male) trial-awaiting-prisoner was allegedly raped by a 19-year-old male inmate.
Staying in the same region, the body of a female which was found at farm Leeups at about 38 km from Oshivelo on Saturday, was identified as that of Ester Hambeleleni Gideon (34), a Namibian national.
The deceased allegedly went missing from Oshikuku village in the Okatope area in January. A murder case was opened at Oshivelo Police Station, while police investigations continue.