Car accidents kill seven at coast on Monday

It was a black Monday at the coast: seven people were killed in two separate vehicle accidents. The deceased included minors and a touring European family.

Just after 17h00 on the C34 road between Henties Bay and Swakopmund a head-on collision between two 4×4 vehicles led to the death of six people.

The accident happened about 12 kilometres outside Henties Bay in the Jakkalsputz vicinity. It is alleged that one vehicle was in the process of overtaking when it smashed into an oncoming vehicle.

According to Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator for Erongo, Deputy Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa both vehicles had four occupants. In the FJ Cruiser were four Namibians who are apparently from Windhoek and Rehoboth, while in the Ford Ranger was a family (apparently from Germany) consisting of the two parents and two children. Three occupants each of both vehicles were killed.

The FJ Cuiser burst into flames while three occupants were still stuck in the vehicle. One of the occupants was removed from the vehicle by bystanders before the car was engulfed in flames.

In the Ford Ranger, only the one child survived. Both survivors are being treated at hospitals.

“We cannot give the names yet. We first have to speak to the German embassy so that the next of kin can be informed, Kashuupulwa said. Not all the next of kin of the Namibians were informed either.”

The section of the C34 was closed due to the debris and emergency work taking place till late. Warning signs and lights were placed along the road. Motorists are still warned to use extreme caution when driving that route, especially at night.

Another tragedy on Monday at Henties Bay happened when Adriaan Engelbrech (6) was fatally injured after he was hit by a car in Jakkalsputz Drive.

According to Kashuupulwa, the motor-gate at the house where the boy was staying was open resulting in the boy’s puppy running out. Adriaan allegedly tried to catch the dog when it ran over the street, and was then hit by a car.