Ambulance without lights in spotlight

VILLAGERS at Gochas believe that a woman died because the Mariental State Hospital ambulance took too long to respond to a car accident.

The late Ansie van der Byl died after an accident about 14 kilometres from Gochas on the gravel road between Gochas and Mariental on April 20. A villager, who refused to be named, claimed the ambulance travelled too slowly because its headlights were not working.The villager said the ambulance had to be escorted by a Police car because it had no lights.”I believe the woman’s life could have been saved if the ambulance was travelling faster,” the villager claimed.Gochas Police Station Commander, Liesel Marais, confirmed that the ambulance had been driving without lights.”The accident happened at four o’clock in the afternoon, but the ambulance arrived at the accident scene at sunset without lights,” Marais said.”Although the woman sustained serious injuries it would have been better it she could have received medical attention within the shortest possible time,” Marais added.When contacted by The Namibian, Hardap Regional Health Director Bertha Katjivena asked for time to gather information on the matter.She said the incident had not been reported to her.A villager, who refused to be named, claimed the ambulance travelled too slowly because its headlights were not working.The villager said the ambulance had to be escorted by a Police car because it had no lights.”I believe the woman’s life could have been saved if the ambulance was travelling faster,” the villager claimed.Gochas Police Station Commander, Liesel Marais, confirmed that the ambulance had been driving without lights.”The accident happened at four o’clock in the afternoon, but the ambulance arrived at the accident scene at sunset without lights,” Marais said.”Although the woman sustained serious injuries it would have been better it she could have received medical attention within the shortest possible time,” Marais added.When contacted by The Namibian, Hardap Regional Health Director Bertha Katjivena asked for time to gather information on the matter.She said the incident had not been reported to her.