By Staff Writer Modou Sowe

The death of a Point Newspaper vendor has been announced, the Freedom Newspaper has learnt.  Adama Touray, a grade seven student of Basse ST. George’s Upper Basic school met his tragic death recently, while swimming at the Basse river, sources said. The deceased was under the guardianship of his uncle prior to his demise.

In order to meet his immediate domestic and school needs, the late Adama Touray decided to venture into the sale of newspapers. He usually supply Point Newspaper copies to the Medical Research Council and other institutions in Basse, source told the Freedom Newspaper.

After wrapping up his newspaper delivery, Adama suggested to his friends to go for swimming, a move which was welcomed by his peers.  On arrival at the sea site, he decided to relax for a while, before jumping into the river, where his friends could be seen swimming. Witnesses say Adama was advised by his friends not to swim, but he decided to join his age mates. He had left some unsold newspapers offshore at the material time, sources said.

Adama later drowned as he could be seen shouting for help. By the time, the rescue team arrived, he was no where to be seen. It took the search  team three consecutive  days  before they could recover Adama Touray’s body. He was dead, when spotted in the Atlantic Ocean. His body nearly decomposed, thanks to the bites he suffered from animals.

 Mam Banja, a neighbour said, "The river is like that, when the year starts, and when it ends, it must take people away. These are just sacrifices for the rest of the town, we should not feel bad or else more would die," she said. His school mates formed a delegation and visited his house and they were all in tears. "He would be badly  missed by us, because he makes us read newspapers and keep us informed about happenings about our country. We shall miss him," one of Adama’s  classmates  said.

Meanwhile the Principal, has warned students to stay away from the river.  It is bad to see one of you  die  young," he said.

The Management of the Point could not be reached for comments at press time.