Monday, 15th December 2008
Voluntary worker dies in bike accident
An officer from the Civil Protection Department reaches down for the helmet of young motorcyclist Daniel Farrugia next to his smashed Kawasaki motorbike in Birżebbuġa yesterday. Photo: Noel Bartolo
A 24-year-old man driving a high-powered motorbike died in a bad accident on the hill near Għar Dalam in Birżebbuġa yesterday afternoon. The young man, Daniel Farrugia, was riding up the hill on his Kawasaki Ninja when he was involved in a collision with a white Peugeot 106 on his lane, going in the same direction.
The bike careened towards the pavement while the rider was catapulted underneath a maroon Hyundai coming from the opposite direction. The police said he died on the spot.
The other people involved, a couple in the Peugeot and a man in the Hyundai, were largely unharmed although the Peugeot driver had to be treated for shock and slight injury to the nose.
The young biker from Birżebbuġa was an apprentice technician with ST Microelectronics and was an active volunteer with the Transplant Support Group after himself becoming the recipient of a cornea in 2003.
Shocked, the president of the group, Alfred Debattista said Mr Farrugia was a very hard working volunteer offering support to people who were about to undergo surgery similar to his.
"It's devastating news for us, we were preparing for our usual Christmas gathering and he was the one doing most of the work. We have now obviously cancelled everything," Mr Debattista said.
Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona is carrying out an inquiry assisted by court experts Mario Buttigieg, Mario Cassar and Joe Mifsud. Inspector Priscilla Caruana is investigating.
Earlier in the day two other men suffered serious injuries in separate traffic-related accidents.
One accident involved a 43-year-old man from Tarxien who was hit by a car in St Andrea Street in St Julians at about 4.30 a.m. The man fractured some bones.
Another accident took place later on the Birkirkara bypass where a 21-year-old man was also suffering serious injuries after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into an electricity pole, the police said.
The accident occurred at approximately 5.30 a.m. After being taken to hospital, the man, who had serious facial wounds, was confirmed not to be in critical condition, police said. His vehicle sustained considerable damage.
Any danger posed by the damaged electricity pole was neutralised by Enemalta workers who were called to the scene, the police added.
Police are conducting investigations.
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Comments
Farewell our dear friend, you will be deeply missed. See you on the other side.
Do not jump to conclusions. It seems to me that you know nothing about motorcycles, and riding.
I can assure you that irresponsible car drivers are much more dangerous than motorcycists. (to themselves and others). A car driver is always more confident, and feels safer in his iron cage, and consequently can afford to be more daring, unlike motorcyclists, who know how vulnerable they are. One has to also keep in mind that, as Janice Farrugia, among others, said he was an experienced rider. (May he rest in peace). Did it ever cross your mind that someone else could have caused the accident? (which most probably is the case).
If you read my earlier post I'm sure you would agree to just a few of the many wrongdoings done by car drivers that I see daily during my commute on my motorcycle. I could add a lot more to that list.
Shall we then abolish all dangerous sports and passtimes too, like scuba diving, swimming, hunting, etc, just to please you? People die of these things too.
The keyword is to respect traffic regulations and all other road users. (cars, bikes, and pedestrians).
There are so many questions running through my mind. Why couldn't you have come through this accident with just a broken leg. With your experience in riding why did this happen to you? The list of what if's is so long!
We love you and you will live on in our hearts xxxx
As Mr.Grima said, it is unfortunate that very dangerous vehicles such as motorcycles are so popular.
@-John M. Grima- It seems like you are an elderly person since you said you remember WWII. Allow me to update you about a few other things that I believe are today's major causes of accidents:
Keying an SMS or use of mobile phones without hands-free device at the wheel. (There weren't any mobile phones during WWII). One cannot possibly use a phone when one is riding a bike.
Not using rear-view mirrors. (nowadays all cars have three).
Not using direction indicators. (Nowadays much more visible than they were in the forties)
Excessive speed. (Today's cars and bikes are much lighter and more powerful).
Total disrespect to all other road users. (cars, bikes, and pedsestrians).
All motorists, please remember that the slightest distraction, or negligence at the wheel (or the handlebars) can cost life and limb to oneself and/or someone else.
Motorcycles were always popular especially in Malta and Gozo. Just as they were always dangerous.
As far back as I can remember, since during WWll, I have seen or heard of such accidents, with and without a collision. The cause is, most often, rush, overtaking or turns.
from manny