CHARLES Anderson Combined School is in mourning after the death of Grade 1 pupil Tangomwene Hamunyela, who was hit by a car outside the Ongwediva school on Monday.
The seven-year-old Hamunyela was struck as he ran across the road towards his father’s vehicle.
School principal Festus Imalwa describe the tragedy as a really terrible accident.
“It is really just an unfortunate event, and both the person who the child and the child’s father are people who know each other very well,” Imalwa said.
According to Imalwa, Grade 1 classes usually end at 12h40, and pupils often play while waiting for their parents outside.
On Monday afternoon, Hamunyela ran across the road without checking for oncoming vehicles on both sides after spotting his father’s vehicle parked across the street. He was hit by a Ford Ranger.
“The driver, I believe, did not see the child, and when he realised what had happened it was too late. All this happened while the boy’s father, Toivo Hamunyela, had parked outside. When he realised it was his son, he immediately ran to him, but it was too late,” said Imalwa.
“It was an innocent accident, but everyone who lives in Ongwediva knows that this is a street filled with children after school hours,” he added.
Imalwa said the school is providing counselling for pupils and staff, especially those present when the accident occurred.
“This is a difficult time for the school, the worst part is when the police were called to the scene, they took long and the child lay dead on the road in front of other pupils, teachers and parents,” adds Imalwa.
When The Namibian visited the school yesterday, pupils were gathered at the school office to view photos of Hamunyela.
Oshana police spokesperson Frieda Shikole confirmed the incident, but said no arrest had been made.
“The suspect was taken in as is procedural and a case of culpable homicide was logged against him, but he was not arrested,” said Shikole
Toivo Hamunyela could not be reached for comment, as the family requested privacy during the grieving period.
