Five perish in collision on B1 road

OTJIWARONGO, 20 MAR (NAMPA) – Five people died on Thursday when their vehicle burst into flames following a head-on collision on the B1 road between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja.
The Namibian Police Force’s (NamPol) head of community affairs in the region, Senior Inspector Maureen Mbeha, informed Nampa that the accident occurred around 17h00, approximately 25 kilometres north of Okahandja.
“It is alleged that the driver of a grey Polo was trying to avoid hitting guinea fowl on the road and swerved into the right lane, where his vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming Ford Ranger,” Mbeha said.
The force of the impact caused both vehicles to catch fire. While passing motorists managed to pull the 52-year-old male driver of the Ford Ranger from the burning wreckage, all five occupants of the Polo, including the driver, perished inside the vehicle.
The driver driver of the Ford Ranger sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the Okahandja Medical Centre.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the Polo was driving from the direction of Okahandja to Otjiwarongo, while the Ranger was headed in the opposite direction.
The identities of the five deceased individuals are unknown as they were burnt beyond recognition. The police have called on members of the public who suspect their relatives may have been involved to assist in the identification process through laboratory forensic testing. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.
(NAMPA)
MS/EK/AS