Kurt Bugeja Coster
Policeman critical in motorcycle accident
Force considers more protective gear
A 33-year-old police motorcyclist was seriously injured in an accident while he was riding in Great Siege Street, Floriana, yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.
A 33-year-old traffic policeman is in critical condition after crashing into a lamp-post with his service motorcycle yesterday morning.
Eyewitnesses said they saw Police Sergeant Malcolm Mifsud fly off his motorcycle and losing his helmet before hitting the ground after he skidded on the slippery tarmac and smashed into a nearby lamp-post.
The policeman, who lives with his wife in Birkirkara and became a father just recently, was riding down Great Siege Street in Floriana, the hill leading to Hay Wharf from near the Hotel Phoenicia. The motorbike fell on one side and slid downhill before stopping over 20 metres away from the police officer, not far from the Excelsior Hotel.
Two plainclothes policemen happened to be passing by and immediately reported the accident and rushed to their colleagues assistance.
The eyewitnesses said PS Mifsud was bleeding from the mouth when he was turned over by paramedics. He was carefully carried onto a gurney and into an ambulance that rushed him to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was operated upon.
The police said last night that his condition was 'stable' and he was still in intensive care.
"God bless one of the best sergeants we have and his family," said one of his colleagues. "May God be with you sergeant".
News of the traffic accident shocked his colleagues.
One complained that traffic policemen on motorbikes wear the same uniform as the rest of the force, except for the driving gloves, riding boots and a motorcycle helmet, pointing out that most wear helmets that don't protect the face and which are not used in most countries.
Sources said the matter was discussed about a year and a half ago and it was decided to give motorcyclists more protective clothing.
"We need that gear now. One of us is looking death in the eyes," another officer said.
Superintendent Mario Spiteri, head of HR at the Police General Headquarters, said the force has been looking into the safety of its motorcyclists for some time and recently had a meeting to evaluate a uniform sample they received.
He said the force also had in issue motorcycle helmets that also protect the face but not all police officers used them. "We have always considered their safety and will continue doing so," Dr Spiteri said.
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11 Comments
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M Mizzi
Feb 24th 2010, 22:22
A tragic accident indeed, I do wish the policer officer a speedy and full recovery.
one question, why did the helmet come off before any impact? would it not have served for better protection, had it been fastened? or was it perhaps not issued to fit?
Odette Mallia
Jan 24th 2009, 12:51
Considering that the traffic police man spend almost all the hours of work on our streets its only a very small percentage that have accidents so they must have been good drivers and go by the rules and further more they very well spend much more time on the road, than the common bikers so their risk is much higher , thats the way to look at it. Further more to the comment regards the face protective halmets its not true they *(traffic police) don't have them and so they don't have a choice weather to wear them or not ,like this article is stating.
May God be with Him and get him back to health
Karl Consiglio
Jan 23rd 2009, 21:03
Its not just about not having holes in it , a road must have a certain grip, there is no grip on that road.
Karl Consiglio
Jan 23rd 2009, 20:59
This was most definitely due to the poor state of that road. About time our government starts seeing the pathetic state of our roads as a serious issue.
R.Lewis
Jan 23rd 2009, 19:36
I cant understand some of our news editorials, like for example what is said above. "The policeman who lives with his wife in B'Kara" what has it got to do with the accident. It doesnt make any difference with whom he lives. Its his private life and he lives with whom he likes. The most important is PS Malcolm Mifsud gets a speedy recovery. I cant imagine a motorcyclist driving on our roads in conditions like yesterday, all roads flooded and pot holes everywhere. I myself with my car went down a pot hole 12inches deep. Imagine a motorbike going down these dangerous potholes, what chance you have in avoiding an accident.
Louis Gatt
Jan 23rd 2009, 18:42
I pray and wish that police sergrent a speedy recovery. The police force works hard for our safety and very often their efforts go unnoticed. It is only in tragedy that we realise what the police force does for our well being. As a hobby cycle rider I know about the perils our roads present to all road users particularly to motorcyclists. I am sure the authorities know very well about the condition of our roads. So why, may I ask there is so little effort to remedy the situation? Why are road users being exposed to such danger? Why is road repair given such low priority? Why are road users are being deprived of their right for safe roads? I fail to see any answer to these questions. The authorities are obliged to ensure our safety. It's their duty to provide safe roads. I hold them responsable.
AnnMarie Pawley
Jan 23rd 2009, 17:42
While I sympathise with the sergeant and his family and wish him a speedy recovery, I do have one question: how come when it's a 'common' person who has an accident everyone takes it for granted that it's their fault because of dangerous driving, but now that it's a police everyone is blaming the poor state our roads are in? I am a driver myself, and yes, surprise surprise, I have seen numerous police disregarding road rules while driving.
Simon Vella
Jan 23rd 2009, 15:15
I cant hear of more fatal and tragic accidents on our poor quality roads.
We are EU members, and one positive thing I THOUGHT would happen was that our roads sill be up to EU standards and thus safer.
I am a biker myself and boy our roads are dangerous!!
May God help the police officer and recover as soon as possible.
D. A . Agius
Jan 23rd 2009, 13:09
Get well soon PS.
Police Administration : Stop doing meetings but get things done.
Minister responsible for Roads: Can you wake up please?
Eddie Attard
Jan 23rd 2009, 12:52
May God and our St. Geroge be with him
lgalea
Jan 23rd 2009, 11:22
Barriers, Barriers, Barriers on all roads and make our roads worthy of being driven on not like those of a fourth world country.