Foroyaa Sports Journalist Drowns at Sea

By Baba Sillah

commuters from Barra to Banjul ferry terminal were on Saturday 20th November 2010 shocked, when a Pajero, with private registration number BJL 4126 A, plunged into the sea claiming the life of Lamin Darboe, a sports journalist working with the Foroyaa newspaper.

The disaster happened as The Gambia Ports Authority staff were busy directing vehicles into the ferry bound for Banjul terminal.

Upon hearing the tragedy, this reporter was assigned to find out what happened and the cause of the accident. At the Barra ferry terminal eyewitnesses stated that the late Lamin Darboe had already parked his car and had come down from it but was asked to park again for the second time. During that process, his vehicle suddenly plunged into the sea.

Sources further told this paper that the victim had demanded for help while in the waters and a guy in the ferry decided to help him but was allegedly intercepted by the ferry authorities as he raised his hands for almost three times for help but to no avail.

Ba-Ansu Darboe, the father of the late Lamin Darboe when contacted, said "I cannot say anything to you as of now because of the pressure and the sadness I am feeling in my soul," he said.

The old man added "but according to what I heard from eyewitnesses if it is true, then the Gambia Port Authority is to be held responsible for the accident. And I will take legal action against them in order to see that justice is done.

All the witnesses that have spoken to The Daily News blamed the Ports Authority for what they described as ‘negligence of duty’.

By the time of going to press yesterday, the body of Lamin Darboe was found and his vehicle too was recovered.

Efforts to talk to the management of GPA proved futile.

The late Lamin Darboe who is survived by a wife and three children is a native of Bakindik village Lower Nuimi District, North Bank Region.

All the witnesses that have spoken to The Daily News blamed the Ports Authority for what they described as ‘negligence of duty’.

By the time of going to press yesterday, the body of Lamin Darboe was found and his vehicle too was recovered.

Efforts to talk to the management of GPA proved futile.

The late Lamin Darboe who is survived by a wife and three children is a native of Bakindik village Lower Nuimi District, North Bank Region.