A joyride turned tragic on Saturday, December 30, when a 13-year-old, Pashula Hangula, lost her life in a horrifying vehicle accident in the dunes near Walvis Bay in Namibia.
The accident occurred when a 21-year-old driver, navigating a pickup truck through the sandy terrain, tragically rolled the vehicle.
Erongo police spokesperson Inspector Ileni Shapumba detailed the events leading to the mishap.
According to Shapumba, the driver, following another vehicle, found his pickup lodged in the sand.
In his efforts to free the vehicle, it skidded on the loose sand, causing it to overturn and tumble down the dune.
The incident was catastrophic, as Hangula, a passenger in the vehicle, was ejected during the rollover.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The pickup carried five individuals, including the driver.
Three of them sustained injuries in the accident and were promptly transported to Walvis Bay State Hospital.
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The current condition of these individuals remains uncertain as medical evaluations are ongoing.
Shapumba confirmed that the police have notified the next of kin of the deceased.
The incident is being investigated as a culpable homicide case.
He emphasized the need for heightened awareness and extreme caution when traversing the unpredictable dune terrains surrounding Walvis Bay.
The police urge the public to exercise utmost caution and adhere to safety protocols when engaging in such activities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
