74-year-old Couple Die in Head-On Collision Near Mile 108
By Aneli Fura
A 74-year-old couple lost their lives in a head-on crash on the C-34 gravel road north of Henties Bay on Wednesday afternoon while returning from an angling trip near Mile 108.
The deceased have been identified as David Ian Smith and his wife, Maria J.E. Smith, both from Windhoek. The couple had reportedly been camping in the Mile 108 area before the fatal incident occurred.
According to police, the accident involved two Toyota Hilux vehicles travelling in opposite directions. It is alleged that a 30-year-old South African man was driving a Walvis Bay-registered double cab from Henties Bay towards the Ugabmond Gate, accompanied by two passengers. A white Hilux with Windhoek registration, driven by Smith, was travelling southbound at the time.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the southbound vehicle may have been in the lane of oncoming traffic. Police said the northbound driver attempted to avoid a collision by swerving to the right, while the other vehicle allegedly did the same, resulting in a crash.
The Smiths were declared dead at the scene by LifeLink paramedics. Their next of kin have been informed.
The occupants of the Walvis Bay-registered vehicle sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious and were transported to a hospital in Swakopmund for treatment.
Authorities are investigating the matter as a case of culpable homicide as well as reckless or negligent driving.
