Graziella Fenech, the 13-year-old who lost her life on Wednesday after being involved in a traffic accident on Sunday, has given new hope to others. Her organs have been donated to six persons in a noble gesture by her parents.

The teenager succumbed to her injuries after a three-day battle for her life. She and her second cousin, Emma Marie Housley, were hit by a car while crossing Triq is-Sebh, the Mriehel by-pass, on Sunday evening. Miss Housley, who turned 17 less than 10 days before, died on the spot.

Contacted by The Times, hospital superintendent Frank Bartolo confirmed that Miss Fenech's heart, liver, kidneys and corneas had been donated.

"Her parents were so gracious that they donated her organs, through which six people will be benefiting," he said.

The teenager's heart and liver will be flown to Italy. The kidneys and corneas will remain in Malta.

Dr Bartolo explained that there were no patients on the local waiting list in need of a heart who were compatible, while Malta does not yet do liver transplants, although this would be possible in the near future.

He stressed the importance of organ donation, adding that in his experience, few relatives refused to donate organs. In the more than 10 years he has occupied the post of hospital superintendent, he only remembers one case.

"We have a very good team, headed by the Intensive Therapy Unit director Joe Zarb Adami, who explains to the relatives what would be done and how the organs would help other people," he said.

Receiving organs means a new lease of life, such as for children who are in desperate need for kidneys to stop their dependence on dialysis machines, Dr Bartolo said.