Bus accident on Otavi-Otjiwarongo road results in multiple casualties

August 6, 2024 530

An accident between an Intercape bus and an Iveco passenger bus took place early on Tuesday 6 August, 2024 between Otavi and Otjiwarongo, resulting in multiple casualties. Emergency services were deployed by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

The accident site, located 50km from Otavi towards Otjiwarongo, was attended by four ambulances.

By 3:10 am, the fire department had arrived at the scene and successfully extricated a person who was entrapped in the wreckage.

Two female passengers succumbed to injuries, one at the scene and another en route to the hospital. Several seriously injured individuals were transported to Windhoek for treatment, while others are being treated at Otjiwarongo State Hospital.

The accident was initially reported by the Namibian Marshall Rangers, Sean Naude.

Separately, a report from the MVA reveals that human error and illegal driving actions are major contributors to road accidents. Key causes identified include speeding, overloading, driver fatigue, cellphone use while driving, and overtaking in unsafe areas.

The report, published in 2023, indicates that 25% of accidents are attributed to poor road conditions, while 3% are due to vehicle malfunctions. Irresponsible driving was responsible for at least three-quarters of all road accidents in 2022, with 324 crashes and 67 fatalities recorded during the festive season.

Meanwhile, Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa announced in July 2024 that the number of traffic fatalities decreased by 30% between 2019 and 2023. Mutorwa, during the ninth annual Road Traffic Safety Conference in Ongwediva, said that the number of traffic fatalities declined from 609 in 2019 to 423 in 2023. He pointed out that the number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants also decreased by 59%, from 250.5 in 2019 to 101.5 in 2023.

Written by: Tonata Kadhila

bus accident Emergency Services Intercape Iveco Bus Motor Vehicle AccidentFund Otavi Otjiwarongo Otjiwarongo State Hospital Road Safety Windhoek Hospital