Elephants cause of accident - by Francis Xoagub

15 October 2010


OSHAKATI – A vehicle carrying passengers along the Tsumkwe road ran off the road and crashed into a wayside hole throwing its occupants out and causing injuries to six passengers when it tried to avoid a collision with a herd of elephants.

Acting Oshana Police Regional Commander, Chief Inspector Sam Mbinge, confirmed that the incident took place last week.

The vehicle was on its way back from the Ndobe border post to Tsumkwe when it suddenly ran into a herd of three elephants wanting to cross the road. In an effort to avoid hitting the elephants, the driver applied brakes and swerved off the road but crashed into a hole off the road and overturned. Seven people travelling in the car sustained minor to serious injuries. The vehicle itself was extensively damaged.

Mbinge said the vehicle was carrying 12 passengers at the time of the incident and all of them were flung out of the vehicle, including the driver.

Two of the male passengers, 29-year-old Namibian Kaezembire Nguatjiti and the driver, Jerry Hauta, sustained serious injuries.

They were admitted to the Tsumkwe clinic, but Nguatjiti died later on the way to the clinic. His next of kin have been informed.

Police are conducting an inquiry into the accident.