‘Lucky’ driver blames uncovered ditch for accident

Like many others in the country, the road is under construction and sides of the roads have been left unattended for many months, posing threat to commuters, drivers and ordinary residents of the area.

The driver on Sunday evening was driving his Renault Espace green seven-seater with number plate: KM 0609 C along the Bundung Highway, opposite the Bundung Court before the vehicle fell into the hole, immersed, almost swallowed by the ditch.

Saidou, who began driving since 1988 said he is experienced enough to manoeuvre around the incident if not for the pit.

Narrating the cause of the incident, Mr. Touray said, after a trip from Jiboroh: “I came to the garage and headed for home. It was the day they scraped the road and it was smooth. When I climbed on to the road, another vehicle was coming from Latrikunda Sabiji end with speed. As I was trying to avoid that vehicle, I was already so close to the pit and before I knew, the front tyre was already into the ditch before the whole vehicle fell inside.”

Lamin Camara, a former Secretary of the Siliti Car Park at the main Bundung Car Park, who spoke on behalf of Saikou Jammeh, head of the car park, lamented the plight of the drivers over the years. According to him, the car park is flanked by terrible roads on both sides, adding it is very difficult to access the Trans-Gambia Highway from the garage. He stressed the importance of the garage describing it as an international garage where people from all over the region use to embark on their journeys.

Authorities have turned a blind eye to the plight of the taxpayers who ply the Bundung Highway for far too long, residents argued. The road has been in a deplorable state despite the cries of the people for the past three years but no one seems to care they said.

According to the residents of Bundung, the road was levelled a day before President Barrow visited the area to inaugurate the new Bundung Police Station.

“It shows they don’t care about the poor Gambians. If the president had seen the original state of this road, he would have sacked some people,” a resident who wished anonymity said.

Thankfully, Saidou Touray sustained only minor injuries after the incident and is currently okay after visiting the hospital. However, his vehicle which is the source of income for his livelihood is broken and needs repairs.

Since the authorities began the supposed construction of the Bundung Highway, this is the second time a vehicle has fallen into the ditch this rainy season alone. No lives were lost on both occasions, but the ditch would continue to pose a threat to drivers, commuters and residents of the area if the construction of the said road is not fast-tracked.