AN Areva bus traveling to the Trekkopje uranium mine, and a minibus that followed, collided with an oncoming Isuzu bakkie yesterday at around 06h00 about 35 kilometres out of Swakopmund.

All 18 occupants of the minibus and bakkie were injured. Five sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospitals in Windhoek. The 'jaws of life' were used to free the drivers from the bakkie and the minibus. Eight ambulances attended to the scene, and the B2 road had to be closed and a detour created for other traffic.

Aubrey Oosthuizen of the West Coast Safety Initiative said it seemed as if the bus had clipped the side of the bakkie, causing the bakkie driver to lose control and then crashing into the minibus.

The bakkie, with a Tsumeb registration number, was carrying by two adults and three children. The minibus had 12 occupants.

Oosthuizen said the weather might have played a role as it was quite misty on the road at the time.

According to Deputy Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa, a case of reckless or negligent driving is being investigated.