Police in Maun are investigating a heartbreaking incident in which an 11-month-old baby girl was accidentally run over by a reversing vehicle at her family home in Disaneng ward.
The incident happened on Monday night, at around 2200 hours. Confirming the incident, Maun Police Station Commander, Superintendent Joseph Lepodise, said the matter was reported by a 44-year-old man, also of Disaneng, who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.
According to the station commander, the man had driven to the family’s home earlier that evening for a visit. However, as he prepared to leave and walked towards his vehicle, the infant is said to have silently crawled outside behind him without being noticed by either the visitor or the family members inside the house.
Superintendent Lepodise explained that the driver began reversing, unaware that the baby had crawled into the vehicle’s path. It was during this moment that the child was accidentally run over, sustaining severe head injuries. Realising what had happened, the distraught driver and other family members immediately lifted the baby and rushed her to Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital while simultaneously notifying the police of the tragic accident.
Lepodise said preliminary information indicates that the baby was still alive when the call was made to the police, but her condition deteriorated rapidly. Despite efforts by medical personnel, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital. The body has since been placed at the hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination, which will assist in completing the investigation.
In a separate incident, police in Maun are also probing the death of a 27-year-old man from Disaneng ward who was discovered hanging from a tree in a bushy area near Sedie on Tuesday evening. Superintendent Lepodise said the case was reported by a 37-year-old man of Sedie, who informed officers that he and others had gone to collect firewood in the area when they stumbled upon the body.
Police officers attended the scene immediately after receiving the report. The deceased was then transported to Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital where he was certified dead upon arrival. While no foul play has been established at this stage, police say investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to the man’s death.
Superintendent Lepodise urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities or concerning behaviour as police continue their investigations into both incidents.
