The Directorate of Aircraft Accident Investigations, Hafeni Mweshixwa, has confirmed a light aircraft accident in the Namib Desert near Gobabeb Namib Research Institute about 100 km from Walvis Bay. In a telephonic interview with the Namib Times yesterday morning, Mr Mweshixwa confirmed the accident to the newspaper while he was on his way to the crash site for investigations.

According to Senior Inspector Judith Shomongula of the Erongo police, the incident occurred on late on Wednesday afternoon this week. Three British Nationals , John  Lowe, Alan Martin Wilson (62) and Neil Thomas Oakman (63), had arrived in Namibia on 25 February to conduct research at Gobabeb.

It is reported that Alan Martin Wilson (62) and Neil Oakman took off that afternoon to check on animal collars in the dunes. When the pair did not return, John Lowe alerted the head of the centre at around 19:00. A search led to the discovery of the crashed aircraft at the Gobabeb airstrip. Tragically, Alan Martin Wilson and Neil Thomas Oakman died from injuries sustained in the crash. The bodies were transported to the Walvis Bay Mortuary for further investigation. 

The Directorate of Aircraft Accident Investigations were on site, with Hafeni Mweshixwa leading the inquiry. The aircraft, reportedly registered in the United Kingdom, was manufactured by Groppo.