Tuesday, 2nd September 2008 - 10:24CET

VIDEO, update 2: Refuse truck overturns - driver critically injured

(Adds details and video)

A 28-year-old man from Zurrieq was critically injured this morning when the Scammel refuse truck he was driving crashed into a wall and ended up on its side on the coast road near the Forum Hotel in St Andrews. The incident happened at about 10 a.m. as the truck was being driven to the waste dump.

Two other persons on the truck were slightly injured.

Victor Spiteri, president of the Public Transport Association, said a bus driver, George Cutajar, was the first to rush to assistance, using his fire extinguisher to put out a small blaze and helping the driver emerge from under the truck.

He was assisted by AFM soldiers from the Plant Troop at St Andrews, who helped the driver and also controlled the traffic. Assistance was also given by the police and the Civil Protection Department.

Material was thrown on the road to remove a diesel spillage.

Mynews@timesofmalta.com

(We regret the video footage has no sound)

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Saturday, July 4, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Carina Dimech (on 4/9/08)

Not surprising seeing the reckless way these people drive. i live in Maghtab and the sheer number of overloaded speeding heavy vehicles makes me wonder how there aren't worse incidents

Karl Abela (on 3/9/08)

Bus drivers have a veeeerry long way to go before they can 'jigbru giehom', together with all taxi drivers and other construction and scamel drivers. They drive like mad to fit in more money making trips. I have seen such very dangerous drivers armed with more than 2 tons of metal coming out of stop signs at full speed. ATP should start confiscating licensing.

R Spiteri (on 2/9/08)

First off, I hope that the driver recovers rapidly.

I hope the two passengers can shed a light on what really happened.. but my conjecture would be on speeding and careless driving.

D.Galea (on 2/9/08)

@charmaine mangion

"Anyone would have helped if they were passing from there", hmm, that is why your name sounded so familiar, oh give us a break! I seriously doubt you would have mustered enough courage to do the same! I'm wondering if you're suggesting that bus drivers aren't human beings as well, are you? If so I wonder how you would react if you were involved in an accident & the first person to help you happens to be a bus driver, Snobby. Well done to everyone who at personal risk go out of their way to help in these situations, the rest keep your mouth full of popcorn!

charmaine mangion (on 2/9/08)

mr spiteri needed to point out that a bus driver helped? are we trying to nigbru giehna??

anyone would have helped if they were passing from there.

Mario Muscat (on 2/9/08)

Welldone to the civil protection department because as always they do a very good job and efficient. they are truly professional and dedicated.

E.Camilleri (on 2/9/08)

Glad no fatalities.
Loaded scammel going uphill and overturning ?
Brake failure rather out of question being an uphill direction.
Culprit possibly speeeeeedddd ????

Elaine Attard (on 2/9/08)

It's good to hear about so many entities giving their bit to help out. Well done!!!