
Monday, 6th October 2008
Boy dies after fall
A photograph of Brian Johansen sent to The Times by a friend with the words "We will miss U bro..RIP!!" superimposed on it.
Brian Johansen, 16, from San Ġwann died after he fell off the bastions in Herbert Ganado Garden, Floriana, on Saturday evening.
The teenager was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital where he died later in the evening.
The police said investigations revealed that the teenager was sitting on the bastion with some friends and slipped when he stood up, falling a height of about five storeys.
Civil Protection Department personnel were called in to help because the teenager landed in an area that is difficult to reach. The teenager was given first aid on the spot before he was taken to intensive care in hospital, where efforts to save his life proved futile.
Magistrate Giovanni Grixti appointed a team of court experts, including architect Richard Aquilina, to help in an inquiry.
The police are investigating.







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Comments
I definitely want to offer my condolences to the Johansen family following the irreparable loss of their son Brian. It's a terrible loss for them and I pray God to comfort them in these tragic circumstances.
I don't intend to lecture irresponsible teenagers because it's humanly impossible to do so through this medium. My appeal is directed to the civil and competent authorities to launch a campaign to discourage youths from practising this new fad. I can't understand why you've picked Franco Farrugia's and my comments as being insensitive from among all the other comments. I was only trying to raise public opinion about a hazard commonly noticed on fine days on entering Valletta.
@ M. Attard
I'm afraid that you have completely misunderstood my comments. I never said that poor Brian wanted to impress or prove anything. It was just an accident, as you said. My remarks were directed in a general manner against this new fad that is blatantly visible to one and all. I've appealed to the competent authorities to do something positive about the matter to avoid any tragic repetition.
I have already expressed my condolences to the Johansen family.
How can you be so insensitive? there's a time and place for everything, and now is NOT the time to give a lecture on how irresponsible teenagers are. pay your respects and offer your condolences, if you want to say something helpful.
Full marks for coming up with such a wise suggestion. I cannot recall the number of times, especially during midday, that I've watched young people of both sexes sprawling lazily on the bastions. It's madness!! What are they trying to prove and who do they think they're going to impress?
I've been through my teenage years quite some time ago, but I can never recall contemporary youths indulging in such insane practices. The sooner the public authorities launch such a safety first promotion over the news media, the better. Youths must be made fully aware of such hazards before it is too late (I'm afraid it already is!)
But if only they know that there son has saved the lives of others, maybe one day some of the pain subsides. Throughout the week end and feasts these bastions are thronged with loungers, sometimes too merry to realise the dangers.
Is it maturity that will make an end or authorities.
Now, let's have a proper public promotion against people lying on the bastions, around Malta but especially at Mdina.
And let the competent authorities do something, however simple - there are loads that one can do - to create obstacles towards such a 'trend'.
At least, let's learn something from the fatalities of others.
We must understand that the most to suffer are not those that died, but those left behind. May his parents and relatives and friends find peace , understanding and comfort in the belief that their son has gone to a better life.
may god comfort his family in these tragic circumstances.
RIP Brian