A man, whose age is unknown, died after being struck by a TransNamib train while lying on a railway track about 15km outside Ondangwa on Saturday night.
The incident occurred at approximately 22h30, when a train travelling from Ondangwa to Tsumeb hit the man, says a media statement issued by TransNamib on Sunday.
The identity of the deceased is not provided in the statement.
The circumstances that led to the man lying on the railway line are not disclosed.
TransNamib chief executive Desmond van Jaarsveld has expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and loved ones, saying the company will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities following the incident.
“We will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities and provide the train crew with the necessary post-trauma support following this incident,” Van Jaarsveld says.
He has renewed calls for communities to stay away from railway tracks, warning that trains require considerable distances to stop once in motion.
“Trains require considerable distances to stop and have the right of way on railway lines,” he says.
Van Jaarsveld adds that TransNamib remains committed to promoting railway safety through community outreach and public awareness initiatives.
The company urges the public to avoid railway tracks to prevent further deaths
