Five lives lost in tragic head-on crash near Okahandja

By: Maria Namupala

A road accident on Thursday evening left five people dead on the B1 road between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo.

Police report the crash took place around 18:00, about 25 kilometers north of Okahandja.

According to Senior Inspector, Maureen Mbeha, the spokesperson for the Otjozondjupa police, the crash involved two vehicles, a Volkswagen Polo and a Ford Ranger.

Mbeha said the Volkswagen Polo was traveling from Windhoek toward Otjiwarongo

It is believed that the driver of the Polo suddenly swerved to avoid hitting guinea fowl that were on the road, which caused the car to move into the oncoming lane, where it crashed head-on into the Ford Ranger.

Mbeha added that upon impact, both vehicles immediately caught fire and all five people inside the Volkswagen Polo, including the driver, died at the scene.

The victims were burned beyond recognition.

The driver of the Ford Ranger survived and was rushed to the Okahandja Medical Centre with serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment.