One Palanding Marena a 19-year-old resident of Kerr Serign drowned together with his colleague at Bijilo beach recently. According to reliable sources the drowned boys were students within the Greater Banjul area. The sources said the duo were bathing at the beach after playing a football match when the tragedy occurred.  

Our sources further indicate that the boys were overpowered by the strong waves and dragged out into deeper waters. It seems to have been the late Marena’s determination to help rescue his colleague that led him to also be over-powered by the strength of the waves. It will be recalled that in the same area two boys, Pa Amat Gaye and his colleague were also drowned on the 21st of August last year.

Their bodies were recovered in the early hours of the following morning and they were taken to the RVTH where they officially pronounced dead. The bodies of the two were later laid to rest in their place of residence. Friends and sympathisers have told this paper “We have lost our most beloved boys and are devastated by their untimely departure. We pray for them and wish them eternal life in the thereafter”.