Four people, including the driver, were killed and one other seriously injured when  a taxi with registration number BJL 6455F strayed off the road and hit a baobab tree on Saturday morning in Lamin village, Kombo North, Daily Observer, can reveal.

The accident, believed to have been caused by drunk driving, happened as the taxi was coming from Brikama heading towards Serrekunda. Eye witnesses told the Daily Observer that  all the three passengers and the  driver died on the spot  while the fifth person died later at the hospital. The three dead persons were women petty traders from Busumbala, Yundum and Lamin and   the only male perssenger is a  resident of Busumbala.

Essa SaidyKhan, an eye witness who claimed to have reached the scene immediately after the accident told Daily Observer that it happened between the hours of 7:30 am to 8:00am. He added that four of the five passengers on board died immediately and the only survivor, Fatou Jallow, was rushed to the Banjulinding health centre, from where she was later referred to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

When contacted for comments, police spokesperson, ASP Sulayman Secka, said commuters should also take their stand to ensure that they don't board  vehicles driven by drunk drivers. According to PRO Secka, drunk driving is a serious issue and all stakeholders should play their parts to save lives.

He revealed that drivers who are suspected to be drunk are normally taken to the hospital for a medical check up. After the medical test, he added, if the police receive a certificate from the doctors proving that the individual was drunk whilst driving, then they would charge the individual with driving under the influence of alcohol.

PRO Secka also confirmed to the Daily Observer that a bottle believed to be contain Gin was found in the vehicle that was involved in this fatal accident.