Seven people were killed and several others injured last Friday when a truck carrying logs of timber fell on its side, in the village of Kembujeh in the West Coast Region.
The dead, all young men, were said to be on top of the truck carrying the logs of timber, when the truck, which tried to avoid a tractor parked on the roadside, fell when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle.
The deceased have been identified as Ebrima Hydara, Yaya Touray, Lamin Banjul Darboe and Lamin Manneh alias Alagie Khan, all said to be from Brikama Darahari in the West Coast Region, Yankuba Sanneh of Brikama Newtown, Alieu Jallow from Sinchu Wellingara and Omar Bah of Bakindik village.
They are all believed to be timber dealers.
The incident comes barely two weeks after a 20-seater Mercedez Benz passenger bus veered into a crowd of students on their way from school in Conteh Kunda village in the North Bank Region, killing eight and injuring three.
When contacted, ASP Yerro Mballow, spokesperson of the Gambia Police Force confirmed the story.
According to him, the incident took place on Friday 1st July when a truck with registration number BJL 0112C loaded with logs of timber and heading towards the Kombos fell on its side, when the driver upon reaching a junction was trying to avoid a tractor that was parked on the roadside.
“There were eleven people on board after loading the logs, three were inside and eight were sitting on the logs when the accident occurred,” he said.
He added that when the accident happen, seven out of the eight people sitting on top died instantly, while one identified as Amadou Jallow from Brikama Nema sustained very serious injuries and is currently admitted at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul.
Mballow further added that the said driver of the truck, one Ousman Sanyang, also sustained some minor injuries and was taken to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) for treatment, but was treated and discharged the same day.
Noting that the driver is presently helping the police in their investigation, Mballow warned all truck drivers and owners to stop people from sitting on top of logs, as this is dangerous.
“It would be proper for the dealers to look for another means of transporting after loading their logs,” he said.
On behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mballow expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.
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