Young model dies in car-bus collision

Michael Testa

Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Elaine Caruana, 23, of Żejtun died instantly when the car she was driving on the outskirts of her hometown was involved in a violent crash with a bus at about noon yesterday.

The head-on collision took place as the car, a Citroen, and the bus were travelling in opposite directions along November 25 Avenue, the main road leading into and out of Żejtun.

Ms Caruana worked as a machine operator at ST Microelectronics.

The driver of the bus, who was injured, was treated also for shock.

The road was closed to traffic for a while after the crash.

Ms Caruana, who was also a model, used to take part in One TV's fashion programme Look and was looking forward to participate in Miss Fashion TV on April 30.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna opened an inquiry as police investigations continue.

Comments

JAAP, CENSINA & FAMILY VAN TIEL (4 weeks ago)

OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO ELAINE'S PARENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH YOUR LOSS. TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
REST IN PEACE ELAINE.

Jimmy John M Vella (4 weeks ago)

In a previous article on this same on-line newspaper which can be viewed by following this link http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080416/local/zejtun-road-closed-after-head-on-crash, many have contemplated what the problem relative to the ever increasing road accidents in Malta can be.

Some have questioned the state of our roads pointing at bad lighting, pot holes, bad road markings, blind curves etc. Others have delved into the issue of excessively fast vs. excessively slow driving and the respective dangers such driving brings about (road rage which leads to take over a car driving excessively slow and risky manoeuvres taken while over speeding when the chance of loosing control over the vehicle increases considerably), others still have also blamed specific habits drivers seem to have which habits range from answering one’s cell phone while driving to refusing to wear a seat belt.

Now, without considering the merits of this case as they are unknown to me, and without diminishing the importance of safe roads, I believe that the reality is, however, that while car manufacturers take all of the above into consideration when constructing new models, in an attempt to avoid fatal accidents, us drivers, as human beings, are shocked when we read news of fatal road accidents and seem very aware of risks and dangers for a short time after the same but we soon get back to our old habits which, as the saying goes, are hard to die. Unfortunately, the human error remains the major cause as to why such accidents happen and human beings seem to never really learn.

I have recently learned that in certain countries, persons caught driving dangerously are forced into seeing autopsies of persons who would have died in road accidents in order for the horror of the effects of dangerous driving to hit them in the hope of shocking them to the core and make them think twice before their next drive. Similarly, road accident videos are shown in Malta, at the plate registration department in Valletta in pursuance of the same effect. I believe that the constant raising of awareness of the dangers that careless driving involves could help in educating the general body of drivers that after all, once on the road, its not just their own life they have to be accountable for, but also that of other drivers and pedestrians.

Having said that, all I am left to say is that my heart goes out to Elaine’s family and friends for their loss. May God be with you and may Elaine find the rest she deserves.