Five people have died when a car in which they were travelling plunged into the river at the Bansang-Dobo crossing point in the Upper Fulladou West district of the Central River Region, witnesses said, as concern over safety at ferry terminals grow.
The incident, which happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, claimed the lives of all five,, four of whom are from the same family.
The fifth victim was identified as Malick Boye the alkalo of Kibiri village also in the Central River Region.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were travelling back home after visiting relatives in the provinces, when their car (a Pajero with registration number BJL 2246 B), which came to the ferry terminal to cross, plunged into the river, reportedly due to “break failure.”
The driver of the vehicle, one Malick Ceesay, said to be the head of the family, was the only survivor.
The other victims from the same family are identified as Hincha Boye, Hincha Gass Boye, Hoja Ceesay and Hatu Ceesay.