Ten-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Run Over by Water Truck in Keetmanshoop
By TUW
A 10-year-old boy has died after being run over by a municipal water truck at the Paradise informal settlement in Keetmanshoop on Sunday.
The incident occurred while the Keetmanshoop Municipality truck was reportedly delivering water to residents in the settlement.
Deputy Commissioner Getruida !Kharuxab, the acting regional commander, said the boy, identified as Mohammed Austin, was playing with other children when they reportedly challenged one another to jump onto the moving truck.
According to !Kharuxab, Austin managed to climb onto the vehicle but fell into the space between the truck and its water tank. He was subsequently run over by the vehicle.
Paramedics who responded to the scene declared the Grade 3 learner dead. His remains were later transported to the mortuary at Keetmanshoop State Hospital.
Austin was a learner at Don Bosco Primary School.
Keetmanshoop Mayor Emrico Blaauw was contacted for comment but said he was not in a position to provide an official statement at this stage. He described the incident as unfortunate and said he had been at the scene supporting the bereaved family.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death are continuing.
