ICT graduate dies in motorcycle crash

Daniel Aquilina, who died in a motorcycle accident late on Tuesday, always looked at life in a positive way and was constantly smiling, his former teacher said.

Mr Aquilina, 24, from Kalkara, died when his motorcycle crashed against a tree in Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli, St Julians at about 11.30 p.m. He ended up on the centre strip, several metres away, the police said. Efforts to save him proved futile and he died shortly afterwards in hospital.

One of Mr Aquilina's former teachers, John Muscat, described him as a happy go-lucky man and a great student.

"Daniel was a really good guy, constantly joking and laughing. However, he knew where to draw the line," Mr Muscat said.

Mr Aquilina used to attend the ICT course at the Malta Council for Arts, Science and Technology and graduated in December.

"His death was a great pity. I'm sure the accident was not his fault as he was a responsible boy," he said.

Similarly, one of his childhood friends, Jonathan Cini, had nothing but words of praise for Mr Aquilina.

He recounted how they both were altar boys at the Capuchins Church in Kalkara and how Mr Aquilina was always ready to give a helping hand whenever someone needed anything.

"He was one of the first to roll his sleeves up and help in the construction of the centre for us altar boys and its maintanence in the 90s when we were young," Mr Cini recalled.

Soon after, he set about organising a football team because the sport was one of his greatest passions. In fact, even when he was at MCAST, he remained active and continued playing.

Mr Cini recalled when Mr Aquilina delivered the traditional midnight sermon during the Christmas Eve vigil. It was a great success, everyone had liked it, he said.

"He used to love joking. He left us so quickly but the memories are there," Mr Cini said.