NBR Road Accident Kills 8 Students

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Omar Wally

29 June 2011

Tragedy struck in the North Bank Region (NBR) on Friday when a 20-seater Mercedez Benz passenger bus, popularly known as ‘Geleh geleh’ ran into a group of students on their way from school, killing eight of them.

Ebrima Secka, Omar Secka, Basiru Secka, Badou Secka, Awa Secka, Mariama Secka, Ndey Kodou Cham and Sulayman Bittaye were all students of Conteh Kunda Sukuto Lower Basic School in Illiasa District of NBR. They all hailed from Kerr Brime village in the same district. Three other students from the same village are currently hospitalised at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul. Narrating the incident to the Daily Observer Tuesday, ASP Yerro Mballow, the public relations officer (PRO) of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) said the accident happened between the villages of Conteh Kunda Sukoto and Conteh Kunda Neegi.

According to him, the students were on their way home from school when the ‘gele-gele’ with registration number BJL 8345G ran into them. He said the driver of the vehicle, which was coming from Kerewan and heading towards Farafenni, was on the right lane, while the students were on the opposite side of the road. “The driver left his lane and went to the other lane where the group of students were walking and hit them and eight of them died. Three others are currently admitted at RVTH for treatment,” he said.

The police spokesperson disclosed that when the accident happened, Ebou Njie, the driver and a native of Nema Kunku in Kombo North District of West Coast Region was arrested by four Fire Service officers who were on board the said vehicle and handed over to the police in Farafenni. He said the driver is currently under police custody and helping them in their investigation.

He further disclosed that the driver is charged with rash and negligent act causing death contrary to Section 221A of the Criminal Code. Mballow then called on drivers to observe and respect signboards mounted on roadsides, more particularly the speed limit especially at residential areas, adding that the IGP is very concerned about accidents. He further advised drivers to respect traffic rules. He also called on passengers to help in avoiding such tragedies by telling drivers to reduce their speed whenever they feel they are over-speeding.

The said vehicle is currently parked the premises of the Farafenni Police Station, while all the students that lost their lives in the accident were buried Monday in Nema Kunku, Kombo North.

AllAfrica – All the Time