Written by Pa Nderry M’Bai
Five supporters of the National People’s Party (NPP) have died, many others left critically injured, following an automobile accident in Kwinella, Freedom Newspaper has gathered. The NPP supporters were traveling from the Upper River Region, when their “Gele Gele” vehicle hits a military truck along the Kwinella Southern Gambian road. Men and women died during the accident.
The NPP supporters were enroute to Banjul to attend President Barrow’s nomination today. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it to Banjul, as the Gele Gele van they were traveling with had a crash on the road.
According to reports reaching this medium, the Gele Gele driver, was driving at a high speed at the time of the accident. He later hits military vehicle thereby losing control and his vehicle somersaulted killing five people on the spot, many others critically injured.
A mother who traveled on a sperate car had already arrived in Banjul. She later received news about the death of her son. Her son was among the passengers, who died during the accident.
Earlier efforts to transport the dead bodies to the URR for burial was halted, as they were advised to take the bodies to the main hospital in Banjul for postmortem. The injured passengers were transported to a hospital for treatment.
In a bid to verify the story, the Freedom Newspaper contacted the Deputy Youth Presidential Adviser Hon. Saihou Mballow, who is a native of the Basse region. Mballow has confirmed the story.
“The unfortunate accident happened on Wednesday. Our supporters were traveling from the URR region to attend the President’s nomination when the accident happened. It is a sad day. Our condolences to the bereaved families. We are praying for the deaths for their eternal rest in peace. May God reserve place for them in heaven. Amen,” a saddened Saihou Mballow told me.
Mballow was contacted for comment in the early hours of Thursday morning. It was already late in Banjul when we telephoned him.
The death toll was reported to be at five at the time of going to press.