Hundreds of people yesterday gathered at the Old Jeshwang cemetery to pay their last respects to the late journalist, Lamin A Darboe, who passed away Saturday in an accident at the Barra ferry terminal.
Darboe, who was the sports editor of Foroyaa newspaper, died a sudden death after his four-wheel land cruiser vehicle plunged headlong from the ferry into the river in what many described as an avoidable accident at the Barra ferry terminal.
He was said to be on his way to
The accident, which hit the headlines of most local media in the country, took place Saturday morning, and engaged the rescue workers throughout the day until Sunday morning, when the body was finally recovered from the river in Essau.
Survived by a wife and three children, Darboe was described by Banna Tambedou, a native of Brikama Nyambai, who was also his landlord, as a generous and a peaceful man who has devoted the better part of his life in support of humanity.
"Darboe has been living in my compound in Brikama Nyambai for a while, but during his stay with us, he has devoted the greater part of his life in support of humanity, including those around him in Nyambai," the landlord said about the deceased.
Ousman Darboe, father of the late Darboe whose face was full of sorrow during an interview with our reporter at the cemetery, blamed the authorities at the Gambia Ports Authority for the death of his son, whom he described as the breadwinner of the family.
"The Gambia Ports Authority are responsible for the death of my son, and what really shocked me was that there was no attempt to rescue him even though he was calling for support on two occasions before disappearing (drowning)," Darboe lamented.
The Principal of Jamisa Upper Basic School, Batuwo Jaiteh, who also expressed shock and dismay about the unfortunate situation, spoke at length on the numerous services the late Darboe rendered towards the development of the school, since he was appointed as Physical Education and Agricultural Science teacher.
