By Mama A. Touray
It was a black and sorrowful Friday in Pacharr village Central River Region, as a driving driver hit 10 youths on road show carnival in the village.
Narrating the sad news to this reporter in an interview, Bakary Mankajang, a native of Pacharr said it is the second time the indigenes and non-indigenes of the village will organize a road show carnival with a granted permit from Fulabanta Police Station.
According to him, the road show carnival started in the village and in funfare towards Kerewan (on way going) but stopped at one of the Serahuleh village called Teyfa where they turned again moving towards Pacharr village.
At that juncture, he continued in his narration, there is a minor hill which they were trying to ascend while the car with plate number BJL 7584 H was coming with a high speed though “we have members that were slowing down any vehicles coming but this driver driving the salon car refused slowing down his speed, which he even left his lane for the other lane and hit 10 youths.”
He said in the interview that “the situation is so serious that the victims were taken to Brikama Ba Hospital and they were later referred to Bansang Hospital and from Bansang Hospital almost six people were transferred again to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Banjul. Two people were discharged while another two are still at Bansang Hospital”
Bakary however said the driver, after the incident, went to report himself at Brikama Ba Police Station where he is remanded.
Meanwhile, Mamadou Bayo, a younger brother of the Alkali of the viallge affirmed that the driver is under police custody and the police are conducting investigation.
“The driver did it (was) wrong and he did it deliberately, we stop other cars but for him he refused to cool (slow down) his speed if government cars can stop why not a private car and there is no negotiations” he said.
Ebrima Cham who is also a native of the village and a brother to one of the victims explained the condition of his brother saying that “right now we are taking care of the patients my younger bro is part of the victims and is now admitted at Banjul and is been taking care of.”
He added that “We should stop the roadshow and let them find a venue to play their music and other stuff,” while adding that “the boy is under a difficult situation his lap got fractured and the waist, too, my brother said he was hit by the car itself.”
With a heavy heart, he advised youth to always not include children in this kind of a program especially children of 15 years downward, “more so, police should stop issuing permit or card for road show, they should totally condemn it taking into consideration the nature of our road and drivers in this country.”