By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia Police Force has confirmed the death of two people in hit-and-run accidents along the Kombo Coastal Road Highway, in proximity of the Yaranbamba estates.
The first incident, according to the police, happened on the 24th February 2023 at 23 22:37hrs while the second incident happened on the 25th of February 2023 at 16:25hrs.
“A hit-and-run accident occurred near Yaranbamba Estate along Kombo coastal road highway involved a pedestrian woman (deceased) who was rushed to Banjulinding Health Center where she was confirmed dead then taken to Kanifing Major Hospital at the mortuary. There were no eyewitnesses to determine the type of vehicle involved,” the police say.
The police say the deceased was later identified as Binta Singhateh of Nema Nasir by her husband, Ebrima Charreh of the same address.
Family sources disclosed that Binta was returning home from seeing off her brother’s wife, who was travelling to Abu Dhabi when she met her untimely death. She was hit by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the newly constructed Kombo Coastal Highway, leading to her death. The vehicle and driver involved in her death have not been identified yet.
The police explained that the second incident also happened near Yarambamba along Kombo coastal road highway. It involved a motor vehicle with registration number WCR 0450 C. The vehicle was driven by 27yrs old Modou Mustapha Njie of Old Yundum, and a pedestrian, Aja Kaddy Saidykhan, (Deceased) of Yarambamba, a 17yrs old student of Tallinding Arabic school.
“It happened that the pedestrian, Aja kaddy, now deceased, was crossing the road when she was hit by the said Vehicle. She was rushed to Banjulinding Health Center where she was confirmed death and then taken to Kanifing Major Hospital’s mortuary. A statement was obtained from the driver and detained at Wellingara police station for further action,” the police say.
Speaking to Kerr Fatou, Alieu Nyang, a former candidate for parliament for Old Yundum Constituency, expressed concerned over the level of speed that drivers are plying at around the area.
“The increase in the rate and occurrence of road accidents is alarming. It is a day-to-day life experience for the people of Old Yundum Coastal Road, most especially Old Yundum Village. These residents have been going through such insecurity for a period of time.
“It is unfortunate that the issue is just getting out of hand. This is not the first time. It is the third time within these couple of months that we were faced with such situations. Sadly, something like this happens on Coastal Road frequently. The Drivers would hit-and-run on the main highway without stopping and the Police wouldn’t be able to stop or find them,” he said.
While he recalls some of the scenes that happened around the area, he calls on the inspector General of police to put more check points around the area;
“I can recall that it was just a few months ago when a driver recklessly knocked a kid behind my area in Old Yundum and ran away too. It’s time people living along the Coastal Road, and Old Yundum, engage the IGP to erect more checkpoints from the Airport Junction up to the main highway that links the market. Meanwhile, we would suggest that police officers who are stationed at the Coastal Garage be removed and deployed on highways because they are more helpful on the highway than at the garage,” Mr Nyang said.