Martin

Hi,
To anyone who has been in the Northern part of Namibia since April 25th
last, please read this message.

From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were on
their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a rental
4WD. They both are around 55 years old.

Please respond if you have seen this couple or if you any ideas that may
lead to their location.

With kind regards,

Martijn Hertog

Koos Greeff

Hallo Martin - can you write me personally about this - supply me more info
etc. I operate in that particular area and will try to help you. Peace
Koos

Experiencing Africa's horizons.
http://www.new.co.za/~safari

Martin wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

    > Hi,
    > To anyone who has been in the Northern part of Namibia since April 25th
    > last, please read this message.
    > From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were
on
    > their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a
rental
    > 4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > Please respond if you have seen this couple or if you any ideas that may
    > lead to their location.
    > With kind regards,
    > Martijn Hertog

Johan

Why not contact the authorities of Etosha?

"Martin" schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi,
    > To anyone who has been in the Northern part of Namibia since April 25th
    > last, please read this message.
    > From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were
on
    > their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a
rental
    > 4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > Please respond if you have seen this couple or if you any ideas that may
    > lead to their location.
    > With kind regards,
    > Martijn Hertog

Martijn Hertog

Thank you for your reply! A lot of people are searching already but
any help we can get is usefull.

Articles were placed in 3 newspapers in Namibia, and it was on the
local radio and TV. We are trying to find out where they were last
seen, to narrow down the search, but so far no news from that part. I
am trying to find people who have been in the area between Swapokmund
and Halali (Etosha National Park) in the periode of april 25th untill
now to see if they have been seen or if someone has had contact with
them in that time.

They have been missing now for at least 14 days.

Martijn

"johan" wrote in message news:...
    > Why not contact the authorities of Etosha?
    >
    > "Martin" schreef in bericht
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Hi,
    > > To anyone who has been in the Northern part of Namibia since April 25th
    > > last, please read this message.
    > >
    > > From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were
    > on
    > > their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a
    > rental
    > > 4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > >
    > > Please respond if you have seen this couple or if you any ideas that may
    > > lead to their location.
    > >
    > > With kind regards,
    > >
    > > Martijn Hertog
    > >
    > >

Johan

Perhaps a silly suggestion... do they have an yahoo/hotmail account? Could
try to contact them?

Hope you'll find them, cross my fingers.

J.


"Martin" schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi,
    > To anyone who has been in the Northern part of Namibia since April 25th
    > last, please read this message.
    > From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were
on
    > their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a
rental
    > 4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > Please respond if you have seen this couple or if you any ideas that may
    > lead to their location.
    > With kind regards,
    > Martijn Hertog

Johan W. Elzenga

Martin wrote:

    > Hi,
    > To anyone who has been in the Northern part of Namibia since April 25th
    > last, please read this message.
    >
    > From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were on
    > their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a rental
    > 4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    >
    > Please respond if you have seen this couple or if you any ideas that may
    > lead to their location.
    >
    > With kind regards,
    >
    > Martijn Hertog

I'm afraid I just heard on the news that they were found today. The man
has died from dehydration, the woman is in serious condition, but alive.
Apparently, their car broke down in a remote area and they were stranded
for two weeks, running out of drinking water.


--
Johan W. Elzenga jwe>cheetah.demon.nl
Editor / Photographer http://www.cheetah.demon.nl/

Koos Greeff

Can you please supply more info on this? I would like to know where it
happened and how. The routes from Swakob to the Etosha are all well traveled
and well maintained routes. Usually the people of Namibia are so friendly
and caring that within hours you would receive help. It is difficult to
undestand how this came about. This is truly a tragedy and my deepest
sympathy to family and friends.

Koos


Johan W. Elzenga wrote in message
news:1fv4h37.1lsmlrgg4xeN%[email protected]...
    > Martin wrote:
    > > Hi,
    > > To anyone who has been in the Northern part of Namibia since April 25th
    > > last, please read this message.
    > >
    > > From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were
on
    > > their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a
rental
    > > 4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > >
    > > Please respond if you have seen this couple or if you any ideas that may
    > > lead to their location.
    > >
    > > With kind regards,
    > >
    > > Martijn Hertog
    > I'm afraid I just heard on the news that they were found today. The man
    > has died from dehydration, the woman is in serious condition, but alive.
    > Apparently, their car broke down in a remote area and they were stranded
    > for two weeks, running out of drinking water.
    > --
    > Johan W. Elzenga jwe>cheetah.demon.nl
    > Editor / Photographer http://www.cheetah.demon.nl/

Hans Martens

Johan W. Elzenga wrote:
    > Martin wrote:
    >>From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were on
    >>their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a rental
    >>4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > I'm afraid I just heard on the news that they were found today. The man
    > has died from dehydration, the woman is in serious condition, but alive.
    > Apparently, their car broke down in a remote area and they were stranded
    > for two weeks, running out of drinking water.

Johan,

have you heard where they were found in Namibia? Haven't heard it on the
news and can't find any information about it.

I am curious because we travelled Namibia on our own too in rented 4x4,
about 1,5 yeras ago. And we did too have a mechanical breakdown. Luckily
however on a well travelled road, so we were stranded only from morning
till evening. Normally we would carry water and food for about two
weeks, in case of emergency.

In these hard times, my sympathy goes to these people and their relatives.

Regards,
Hans


==================================
Hans Martens

Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
==================================

Johan W. Elzenga

Hans Martens wrote:

    > Johan W. Elzenga wrote:
    > > Martin wrote:
    > >>From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing. They were on
    > >>their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in a rental
    > >>4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > > I'm afraid I just heard on the news that they were found today. The man
    > > has died from dehydration, the woman is in serious condition, but alive.
    > > Apparently, their car broke down in a remote area and they were stranded
    > > for two weeks, running out of drinking water.
    >
    > Johan,
    >
    > have you heard where they were found in Namibia? Haven't heard it on the
    > news and can't find any information about it.
    >
    > I am curious because we travelled Namibia on our own too in rented 4x4,
    > about 1,5 yeras ago. And we did too have a mechanical breakdown. Luckily
    > however on a well travelled road, so we were stranded only from morning
    > till evening. Normally we would carry water and food for about two
    > weeks, in case of emergency.
    >
    > In these hard times, my sympathy goes to these people and their relatives.
    >
    > Regards,
    > Hans

I heard it on Sky Radio news on saturday, I believe. I was on my way
back from the airport, so I don't know if the news was broadcasted
before and/or on other channels. From the earlier messages in this
forum, I understand that they took the road from Swakopmund to Etosha,
so I guess they took the coastal road to Skeleton Coast, meaning to go
inland from there. I've taken that road myself. It's very quiet, but I
cannot believe you wouldn't meet anyone in two weeks. Perhaps they
missed the turn off and took a rarely used other road.


--
Johan W. Elzenga jwe>cheetah.demon.nl
Editor / Photographer http://www.cheetah.demon.nl/

L. Andreoli

I just read on our newspaper that the Dutch couple lost their way and
run out of fuel.
It is always wise to have lots of water (and emergency food) with you
travelling in remote areas in countries like South (ern) Africa and
order some extra Jerry cans for fuel
at your rental company, they won't charge you for this.
My sympathy goes to these people and family.

Lou Andreoli
Wildlife Photographer
Homepage: http://www.homepages.hetnet.nl/~louine


"Johan W. Elzenga" schreef in bericht
news:1fv6079.1an48c31az17eeN%[email protected]...
    > Hans Martens wrote:
    > > Johan W. Elzenga wrote:
    > > > Martin wrote:
    > > >>From that day, a couple from The Netherlands has been missing.
They were on
    > > >>their way from Swakopmund to Halali in the Etosha National Park in
a rental
    > > >>4WD. They both are around 55 years old.
    > > > I'm afraid I just heard on the news that they were found today.
The man
    > > > has died from dehydration, the woman is in serious condition, but
alive.
    > > > Apparently, their car broke down in a remote area and they were
stranded
    > > > for two weeks, running out of drinking water.
    > >
    > > Johan,
    > >
    > > have you heard where they were found in Namibia? Haven't heard it on
the
    > > news and can't find any information about it.
    > >
    > > I am curious because we travelled Namibia on our own too in rented
4x4,
    > > about 1,5 yeras ago. And we did too have a mechanical breakdown.
Luckily
    > > however on a well travelled road, so we were stranded only from
morning
    > > till evening. Normally we would carry water and food for about two
    > > weeks, in case of emergency.
    > >
    > > In these hard times, my sympathy goes to these people and their
relatives.
    > >
    > > Regards,
    > > Hans
    > I heard it on Sky Radio news on saturday, I believe. I was on my way
    > back from the airport, so I don't know if the news was broadcasted
    > before and/or on other channels. From the earlier messages in this
    > forum, I understand that they took the road from Swakopmund to Etosha,
    > so I guess they took the coastal road to Skeleton Coast, meaning to go
    > inland from there. I've taken that road myself. It's very quiet, but I
    > cannot believe you wouldn't meet anyone in two weeks. Perhaps they
    > missed the turn off and took a rarely used other road.
    > --
    > Johan W. Elzenga jwe>cheetah.demon.nl
    > Editor / Photographer http://www.cheetah.demon.nl/

Hans Martens

L. Andreoli wrote:
    > I just read on our newspaper that the Dutch couple lost their way and
    > run out of fuel.

I am very curious to find out some more details about this unfortunate
accident. The roads between the coast and Etosha are rather well
signposted and in good condition. Also there is a reasonable amount of
traffic. So being lost for 2 weeks sounds strange, but of course we do
not know any details of what happened.

Regards,
Hans

==================================
Hans Martens

Wildlife & Nature Photography
http://www.wildpicture.com
==================================

L. Andreoli

"Hans Martens" schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
    > Hans Martens wrote:
    > I am very curious to find out some more details about this unfortunate
    > accident. The roads between the coast and Etosha are rather well
    > signposted and in good condition. Also there is a reasonable amount of
    > traffic. So being lost for 2 weeks sounds strange, but of course we do
    > not know any details of what happened.

Hans:
Here some more info (from: Namibie.pagina.nl, section: namibian
newspaper)

Tourist survives drama and death in Kunene
LINDSAY DENTLINGER
DUTCH tourist, Jan Snel (56), who died when he and his wife, Marie, got
lost in Namibia's southern Kunene region, "fell asleep and never woke up
again".

The couple, who were missing for an estimated 16 days, were found about
50 km south-east of Twyfelfontein on Friday afternoon after an extensive
air search.
It is believed that Jan Snel died several days earlier.
A Dutch Mission official yesterday said it was a miracle that Marie Snel
(55) was still alive.
She was found in a state of severe disorientation and dehydration, and
was admitted to Windhoek's Medi-City Hospital.
Chief Inspector Sass, who led the mission, says Marie Snel was immensely
relieved when the search party touched down near the vehicle, where the
Snel couple were found lying down.
"Although she didn't say much, her face spoke a thousand words," Sass
said.
The Snels were stranded in the grassy, sandy valley of a mountain
crater, less than 10 kilometres from a waterhole at the settlement of
Doros.
Marie Snel told the rescue team that her husband was not a sickly man,
but had fallen asleep, and never woke up again.
Head of the Dutch Mission in Namibia, Willem Aalmans, told The Namibian
yesterday, that although still a little weak, Marie Snel is doing
"remarkably well" under the circumstances and that "it is a miracle
she's still alive".
The couple arrived in the country on April 20, but failing to return
their hired 4X4 vehicle and board a flight back home on May 11, they
were reported missing to the Police.
At first light on Friday morning, a combined team of International SOS
rescue workers and the Police's Serious Crime Unit, conducted an
extensive air search over the Brandberg and down the Ugab river to look
for them.
They were reportedly last seen at Swakopmund on April 30 and had made
bookings at the Etosha game park for the first week of May but never
arrived there.
Marie Snel is not able to recall the exact details of their ordeal at
this point, but it is believed that the couple became lost and ran out
of fuel.
They had apparently decided not to set off on foot in search of help.
Three family members of the couple arrived in the country yesterday.
A post-mortem on Jan Snel will be conducted before his remains can be
flown home, hopefully by the end of this week.

I think they took dirty road number D2303 and part of road D2342 (unless
they came from the north D3245, D2620, and D3253 wich seems unlikely to
me) and wanted to see ancient paintings at Numas Ravine before going to
Etosha.
Lou Andreoli
Wildlife Photographer
Homepage: http://www.homepages.hetnet.nl/~louine

Koos Greeff

Thanx Lou - I checked my maps quickly and that is probable what happened.
But still it puzzles me - even those 2 roads are not so isolated - I would
believe that at least 1 vehicle a day should pass by. They must have turned
off into some or other little veld paadjie. However - still a tragedy. This
is the how-maniest tourist that dies in Namibia because of not taking the
natural conditions in consideration. I truly hope that the hiring companies
would start doing something about this - forcing them to do some sort of
survival course and also some sort of off-road driving course.

Some time ago I was travelling near Ai- Ais and I met a group travelling
with a new, up-market Audi - an ordinary sedan. They had 2 blown-out tires
and no possibility to drive further. Many of the roads in Namibia, Botswana,
Northern Cape, West Coast and Namaqualand is accessible with ordinary sedan
vehicles - the tires though are not made for it.

L. Andreoli wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "Hans Martens" schreef in bericht
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Hans Martens wrote:
    > > I am very curious to find out some more details about this unfortunate
    > > accident. The roads between the coast and Etosha are rather well
    > > signposted and in good condition. Also there is a reasonable amount of
    > > traffic. So being lost for 2 weeks sounds strange, but of course we do
    > > not know any details of what happened.
    > Hans:
    > Here some more info (from: Namibie.pagina.nl, section: namibian
    > newspaper)
    > Tourist survives drama and death in Kunene
    > LINDSAY DENTLINGER
    > DUTCH tourist, Jan Snel (56), who died when he and his wife, Marie, got
    > lost in Namibia's southern Kunene region, "fell asleep and never woke up
    > again".
    > The couple, who were missing for an estimated 16 days, were found about
    > 50 km south-east of Twyfelfontein on Friday afternoon after an extensive
    > air search.
    > It is believed that Jan Snel died several days earlier.
    > A Dutch Mission official yesterday said it was a miracle that Marie Snel
    > (55) was still alive.
    > She was found in a state of severe disorientation and dehydration, and
    > was admitted to Windhoek's Medi-City Hospital.
    > Chief Inspector Sass, who led the mission, says Marie Snel was immensely
    > relieved when the search party touched down near the vehicle, where the
    > Snel couple were found lying down.
    > "Although she didn't say much, her face spoke a thousand words," Sass
    > said.
    > The Snels were stranded in the grassy, sandy valley of a mountain
    > crater, less than 10 kilometres from a waterhole at the settlement of
    > Doros.
    > Marie Snel told the rescue team that her husband was not a sickly man,
    > but had fallen asleep, and never woke up again.
    > Head of the Dutch Mission in Namibia, Willem Aalmans, told The Namibian
    > yesterday, that although still a little weak, Marie Snel is doing
    > "remarkably well" under the circumstances and that "it is a miracle
    > she's still alive".
    > The couple arrived in the country on April 20, but failing to return
    > their hired 4X4 vehicle and board a flight back home on May 11, they
    > were reported missing to the Police.
    > At first light on Friday morning, a combined team of International SOS
    > rescue workers and the Police's Serious Crime Unit, conducted an
    > extensive air search over the Brandberg and down the Ugab river to look
    > for them.
    > They were reportedly last seen at Swakopmund on April 30 and had made
    > bookings at the Etosha game park for the first week of May but never
    > arrived there.
    > Marie Snel is not able to recall the exact details of their ordeal at
    > this point, but it is believed that the couple became lost and ran out
    > of fuel.
    > They had apparently decided not to set off on foot in search of help.
    > Three family members of the couple arrived in the country yesterday.
    > A post-mortem on Jan Snel will be conducted before his remains can be
    > flown home, hopefully by the end of this week.
    > I think they took dirty road number D2303 and part of road D2342 (unless
    > they came from the north D3245, D2620, and D3253 wich seems unlikely to
    > me) and wanted to see ancient paintings at Numas Ravine before going to
    > Etosha.
    > Lou Andreoli
    > Wildlife Photographer
    > Homepage: http://www.homepages.hetnet.nl/~louine

Koos Greeff

Thanx Alex - it truly is confusing and most probably it'll take a long time
before we'll now it - if ever.

I feel that one of the most important points when doing a self-drive in
Africa is speaking to the locals. I know that for most Europeans it is
strange and you might feel that you intrude on the privacy of another
person. The peoples of Africa views this totally different. In general it is
very un-courteous to just barge into an area not your own - it is reckoned
good manners to stop, ask and speak in general - Africa lacks many things,
not time.

So - take it easy, chat and make friends. Ask the locals and you would be
amazed at their knowledge, friendliness and willingness to help.

Some time ago we were travelling between Walvisbay and Sesriem. We passed an
truck standing at the bottom of the Kuiseb valley. I turned around and spoke
to the old gentleman sitting in the truck. His truck was broken and he was
too ashamed to stop the passers-by. He had been sitting there for hours - it
was in the middle of summer. Luckily we had the necessary equipment and
within half an hour he was on his way.

Please do not be ashamed to ask. Enjoy Africa - live Africa - be part of
Africa

Slowcoach wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Koos,
    > "The Namibian" article posted above does indicate where they were
    > found but the distances and directions are a little suspect.
    > It refers to Doros settlement, there are some settlements near Doros
    > mostly in the Goantagab valley.
    > It seems likely that they tried to make the Twfelfontein from the
    > coast via Brandberg West.
    > This might seem a surprising choice but from time to time this route
    > appears on tourist maps. I am not saying that this has happened in
    > this case but it is a worrying phenomenon.
    > I have seen such a map this year, unfortunately I did not notice who
    > published it. It is a single sheet tourist map of Namibia and it
    > clearly marks a fictitious road from B. West to Twyfelfontein. If you
    > look at the map it is the most direct route up from the coast.
    > The map was shown to me by a German tourist trying to make just such a
    > drive.
    > I filled him with all the doom and gloom I could muster including
    > telling him that he would get lost and might not make it out.
    > Fortunately he must have decided to turn back as we saw him an hour
    > later in Uis.
    > If that is the way these tourists went, I want to know what inspired
    > them to do it. If it was a map then, it is in many ways not their
    > fault.
    > If anyone knows of any such maps, please contact me, post here or
    > contact the MET in Namibia as they are so potentially dangerous.
    > Regards
    > Alex Harvey
    > www.slowcoach.org

Slowcoach

Koos,

"The Namibian" article posted above does indicate where they were
found but the distances and directions are a little suspect.

It refers to Doros settlement, there are some settlements near Doros
mostly in the Goantagab valley.

It seems likely that they tried to make the Twfelfontein from the
coast via Brandberg West.

This might seem a surprising choice but from time to time this route
appears on tourist maps. I am not saying that this has happened in
this case but it is a worrying phenomenon.

I have seen such a map this year, unfortunately I did not notice who
published it. It is a single sheet tourist map of Namibia and it
clearly marks a fictitious road from B. West to Twyfelfontein. If you
look at the map it is the most direct route up from the coast.

The map was shown to me by a German tourist trying to make just such a
drive.
I filled him with all the doom and gloom I could muster including
telling him that he would get lost and might not make it out.

Fortunately he must have decided to turn back as we saw him an hour
later in Uis.

If that is the way these tourists went, I want to know what inspired
them to do it. If it was a map then, it is in many ways not their
fault.

If anyone knows of any such maps, please contact me, post here or
contact the MET in Namibia as they are so potentially dangerous.

Regards

Alex Harvey

www.slowcoach.org