Saturday, 28th November 2009
Imqaret prove fatal for elderly man
The scene of the accident in which an elderly man was run over yesterday morning after he bought a bag of date fritters (imqaret) and was crossing back to his car. Photo: Jason Borg.
An elderly man who stopped to buy a bag of imqaret from a roadside stall was run over yesterday as he tried to cross the road to get back to his car, dying of his injuries later in hospital.
Salvu Grima, 73, who lived in Ħamrun, was driving his green Toyota Tercel down Valletta Road, Attard when he decided to stop for some imqaret (date fritters) and parked opposite the stall, eyewitnesses said.
He stepped out of his car and crossed the road to the small stall, which stands beside a fruit and vegetable seller.
The police said Mr Grima was crossing back to his car when he was hit by another vehicle shortly before 10.50 a.m. The charcoal grey Fiat Punto was being driven by a 30-year-old man.
Paramedics found the victim lying face down in a puddle of blood but still alive. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Fiat's windscreen was partly shattered and the mudguard was dented. Mr Grima's white paper bag of imqaret was found lying in the grass, at the roadside, still tightly rolled at the top.
The driver remained at the scene, where he was later joined by his father and eventually questioned by district police.
Investigations are being conducted by the Birkirkara District Police under the supervision of Inspector Kevin Farrugia.
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Comments
This photo tells a number of things which the authorities need to consider. For example, the signage should not be placed so close to the stall. It is totally useless where it is located. The stall itself is too close to the passing traffic, and the police should have ticketed the driver on the spot way before the accident happened (most likely). The fact that the windscreen is so battered shows clearly that the driver was badly traumatized. Yet, from what this report is saying, no counseling was provided for this driver. Luckily he had his father to come and assist him. These are very serious shortcomings on the part of the authorities, and thanks to this photo, even tragic as it is, at least we can deduce some of the things that need fixing before more accidents and fatalities occur.
Michelle Sant You are right. This is apart from the neighbors having to suffer the smell of cooking which permeates into everything, the houses, clothes, curtains everything and they smell terrible. You smell like a walking mixed-food dish even if you have just washed. No such shops should be allowed in built-up areas.
What a sad accident. Condolences to his family.
Perhaps The Times could once again refrain from publishing photos showing both the car which killed the gentleman and bloodstains in the road. How does this photograph add to our understanding of the news item? To me, it is inappropriate and potentially very distressing, particularly to all involved. Shame on you.
I see 2 other issues. How healthy are foodstuffs kept on open display with dust, insects and exhaust pollution?
2 How fair is the hawker system? A restaurant or bar has a lot of license conditions to observe and payments. Hawkers go to the best locations ( main streets or roads ) and get all the passing trade at minimum investment.
I think hawkers should have a time frame for the system to be dismantled and that includes the Festa kiosks too.
It is much more a question of how dangerous some pedestrians cross roads, both urban and main roads. Sometimes drivers are blamed - I think that a driver should never been blamed for an accident. Becuase a road is there for cars, if you decide to cross it, you have to make sure you are not in danger of being hit. If you are crossing on a zebra crossing, make sure that the cars have stopped for you to cross and not just jump in the middle of the road just because you think a Zebra is safe. What happens if the driver does not happen to see you or if there is a brake failure? If a driver hits a person on a zebra he is charge with involontary homicide, however it's the pedestrian first who has to respect himself. Condoliances to the victim's family for the tragic death.
RIP Mr Grima.