Update 3: Driver dies in Kirkop tunnel crash

Charlene Cassar

Mar 26th 2010, 09:36

Dear SANDRA CAMILLERI I respect your words, as some people here haven't seemed yet to experience a mini fraction of what we're feeling. With ALL THE RESPECT what's the point in pin-pointing and being rude? It could have been speedy driving, It could have been the road, could even been the bridge.. but it's the not the point. Some people just have the arrogance to write such insensitive words. The pont is that we feel the Loss of such a handsome young Man, a Part of our Family.
Scratched in our hearts you'll always be Dear. You Are Deeply Missed, .

Joe Fenech

Mar 24th 2010, 20:32

The usual overspeeding... DONT blame it on the roads!

Edward Hughes

Mar 24th 2010, 16:44

I do agree that it is unfair making such an issue of a situation like this when someone has died and injured. But mind you that every one expresses anger and pain in different ways. Some stay at home, and some write on the internet. We are very sorry for this tragedy, and I cant say anything else to make this go away. At least let this be a lesson for every driver!

JUSTIN TABONE

Mar 23rd 2010, 23:55

R.I.P. Steve.....you where a good young man, always with a smile on your face.

Raymond Cutajar

Mar 23rd 2010, 04:36

continued ; realising that i would not issue a pass certificate the would be new owner rather angrily and without paying he simply told me to stop doing the test and drove away while telling his wife waiting in another car which they had braught along as a carrot also for a vrt to follow him to another VRT STATION Yes indeed in less than an hour I got Toknow that the dangerouse van had just been issued with a pass vrt cert Please do not ask why these happen as the system isNOT followedproperly from the very Top on purpose
after a couple of days a car scrapyard owner came to my vrt garage where he told me if it where for me I would have ruined him a sale I sent him here so that you would earn a pound You see this guy had just baught the van from the last owners knowing full well that it needs great expences to be VRT COMPLIANT
On another case an owner reported me why I had failed his Van from a handbrake test while he passed from another ! The ADT could not simply commit suicide and act

Johann Vella

Mar 22nd 2010, 22:29

well said Mr John Scerri

Claudette Carbone

Mar 22nd 2010, 22:18

R.I.P. Steve

M cassar

Mar 22nd 2010, 22:10

Jien m ghidtx biex ninsulta liz zaghzugh. Nghidu x nghidu issa li hemm hemm, li nistghu naghmlu hu li niehdu hsieb li dawn l incidenti ma jibqawx jigru u ghalhekk insistejt li il ligi ghandi tigi enforced u nibdew nissospendu driving licences u nziedu l pieni. Again RIP and condolences to the family and friends. Jista jkun ma kienx kaz ta overspeeding allura ma nistghux nikkumentaw jew u nghatu suggerimenti biex tragedja hekk ma tergax issehh x nghamlu mela nghidu RIP u nieqfu hemm nhallu in nies ikomplu jmutu u ma niehdux passi. Hemm bzonn li jsir xi haga ma jistax ikun kull gimgha imut xi hadd b traffic accidents u jekk dan ma kienx kaz ta speeding hafna mil kazi ikunu hekk.

carmel ellul

Mar 22nd 2010, 22:06

Trasport Malta ;
This tunnel is the ONLY practical route for all ST employees and all the persons that live in the villages .
This tunnel needs to be prepared to handle such emergencies.
Zero marks to that entity that expects driver to find their own way around a maze of meandering roads through villages with the necessary one way streets.

Full marks if the centre strips between the two carriagways outside the tunnel are modified to change any one of the tunnels into a two way emergency one.

In the meantime pray for the family of the deceased and hope that TM does not sleep on the present state of affairs.

J.Kawash

Mar 22nd 2010, 22:03

@ Edwin Delceppo & Sandra Camilleri, you both hit the nail on the head, these moaners are complaining about speed when the family of this young man is going through god know what !
Condolences to his family ,RIP

Alfred Cassar

Mar 22nd 2010, 21:33

Have some respect for a young person who had just passed away and to his family

Simply shut up and say a prayer for his soul
May he rest in peace and may God be with his family and friends at this difficult moment

Michael Zerafa

Mar 22nd 2010, 21:14

I lost my first car over there too and WAS doing 40mph... Ever wondered what diesel smells like on tarmac, and morning dew to sum it up? Ask people who work at ST and they'll tell you, for they do through it quite often!
And a speed camera is not a solution!!
Why does tyre tread in Malta last ages while it only lasts a year in the UK? Trankly, because the tarmac in Malta is a means to finish the road and not a means of gripping to the road.
My condolences to the families involved.

Cheyenne Vella

Mar 22nd 2010, 20:23

R.I.P Cousin, I will never forget you

Edwin Delceppo

Mar 22nd 2010, 18:51

I am in total agreement with Ms. Sandra Camilleri. May God grant this young victim eternal peace. I also convey my deepest condolences to his family.

Sandra Camilleri

Mar 22nd 2010, 17:34

Ghal dawn kollha li tkellmu fuq speed. Jidrilkom li dan huwa hin li wiehed jitkellem fuq hekk meta l-familjari tieghu, Alla biss jaf min xiex inhuma ghaddejjin. Imiskom tisthu tridu tiggudikaw. Titkelmu hekk ghax mhux xi hadd minn tal-familja taghkom ghax kieku ma titkelmux hekk zgur. Il-kondoljanzi lil familja ta dan il-guvni ghax naf minn xiex intom ghaddejjin. Sfortunatament ga ghaddejna minnhom ahna u naf li mhux mument facli.

Matthew Muscat

Mar 22nd 2010, 17:31

First of all im sorry for this accident to happen!

And for all those of stating that with just 50kph could damage the car badly with a wall; they are right. but how on earth can a driver in a straight line or a bit curved like this accident could lose his control and die with that particular speed? Simple, if you are seeking a dangerous point, whats the point of keep on going faster?

No matter what we do with crash barriers and things that yes they save life, but really, maltese drivers just need some common sense! Some roads are dangerous, so put in your mind, this accident happened here..Another one could be done this minute! You just need to put it in your minds and stay on alert. If you need to arrive in time, get ready before!

Adrian Allain

Mar 22nd 2010, 16:52

I have no idea what caused this accident, but after every incident like this all I read is criticism of the bad roads in Malta.
Yes the roads are atrocious, but so are some of the vehicles. I've seen cars with very little tread left on their tyres. One can only guess what the brakes are like, or the steering, or level of hydraulic fluid etc. These things can also contribute to accidents. It doesn't matter how good the surface of a road may be, if your brakes don't work you're in trouble.
Something worth thinking about. Vehicle maintenance is equally important as road maintenance.
May the poor driver Rest In Peace.

Joseph Scicluna

Mar 22nd 2010, 15:54

@ mario aquilina

News Article. Is this the most pot-holed road in Britain? 'Lunar' lane has 124 craters on just 120 metres of tarmacBy DAILY MAIL REPORTER All By This Author - 16/03/2010 09:09:06

Any comments Mr. Jermyn Clarkson?

Paul Barrett

Mar 22nd 2010, 15:43

@ Nigel Lawrence

Unfortunately it does not take a lot of speed to create that amount of damage - not when a comparatively soft material like a car or van hits something solid like a brick wall.
From the video there does not appear to be any skid marks on the road and therefore the vehicle was perhaps only doing 30 mph (50 kph) on impact - a reasonable driving speed but more than enough to cause that much damage.
The passenger may be the only witness that can throw some true light on this tragic accident.

victor vella

Mar 22nd 2010, 15:21

@ Mario Aquilina, Without denying the fact that yes some roads still leave a lot to be desired, and while sending my deepest sympathy to the relatives of this young man and wishing a spedy recovery to his passenger, one canot say that this accident was the result of potholes.Further more hitting a pot hole at 40 mph and hitting one at 80 mph is very different.

yanika Anne Cassar

Mar 22nd 2010, 14:56

@ Nigel Lawrence - Speed at that time of the day? when it takes about 15min to surpass the road because of the traffic jam?! don't talk if you are not well informed...

RIP and Condolences to the family of this gentleman, May God be with you

Charles Sammut

Mar 22nd 2010, 14:43

@ Nigel Lawrence
"It takes SPEED to create that kind of damage to a vehicle."

Not really, you can cause that level of damage by crashing into a solid wall (as was the case here) at 50kph. The dynamics of crashing into a solid wall is the same as crashing head on at a vehicle of similar mass and velocity.

50kph (~30mph) is the speed at which vehicles are crash tested. To put it in perspective, 50kph is almost 14 metres (44 feet) per second, that is as long as a TIR trailer.

The question is what caused the driver to veer right and hit the side of the tunnel?

Mr Sense

Mar 22nd 2010, 14:22

I agree with Mr lawrence, this car has all the tell tale damage of doing dangerous amounts of speed at the time of the crash. Ask yourselves, how can you lose control going in a straight line?

Everyone who didn't take there test under the european examination shouod be made to take their test again, for free. Fail, and they pay for the cost.

Hopefully, then we will see correct lane changes, indicatiors being used, roundabouts being used correctly, speed being controlled etc.

Speed is a BIG issue here in Malta. and it is always to the extreme. People drive too fast and end up in a serious accident. or they drive far too slowly, causing road rage to other drivers, and also causing accidents. Bring in Manditory EU re-testing, that should clear the roads up.

V.Muscat

Mar 22nd 2010, 14:21

The road from Mqabba to Hal-Farrug was closed because two Trucks were blocked there this morning and the road from Zurrieq to Hal Far is closed due to maintanance we had no alternative roads except the one from Qrendi to Siggiewi and No, there are no potholes in Ta Kandja road thanks to the former local council of Mqabba and Polidano brothers.

T Montebello

Mar 22nd 2010, 14:20

My comments in these instances are always similar. simple CRASH BARRIERS could have saved a life.... May he rest in peace.

K.Grech

Mar 22nd 2010, 13:22

R.I.P Habib! ara vera ma tisthux ta. gibu naqa rispett ghall nies imwegghin bhal issa!

John O Scerri

Mar 22nd 2010, 13:13

Just shut the arguments . Some of you are so pathetic.

A guy is DEAD...... DEAD get it ........? and another is hurt. At least pray for his soul and for his family to find peace.

All you moaners are alive and well.

Stop all this nonsense.

marthese mussett

Mar 22nd 2010, 12:52

What sad news,RIP,condolences to all those who loved you.There is no point in saying how and why....I was nt there...he may have fainted...there could be other reasons...

Chris Ellul

Mar 22nd 2010, 12:27

Condolences to family and friends of the victim....

I just want to point out one very simple thought i had while looking at the picture (or video)...this must be a case of overspeeding as i find it hard to believe that at 50/60kmh one can damage a vehicle in that way. It is true that we have disasterous roads full of potholes and built using low quality materials, but unless we show some RESPECT (to the laws and to others) while on the road.....we can drive on F1 tracks and we still get the same end results....

clive borg

Mar 22nd 2010, 12:21

@ Martin Vella

really, i do see police patrols on sundays and its hardly to find one on weekdays... cos they are much more behind persons to give fines for those who are car enthusiasts rather than to the people that use their car for their use only....

and how many accidents happen to car enthusiants, and how many accident happen to the other people that use an ordinary car just for the sake of using their car as a means of transport only...

G Zammit

Mar 22nd 2010, 11:32

so young. rest in peace

Nigel Lawrence

Mar 22nd 2010, 11:18

It takes SPEED to create that kind of damage to a vehicle.

Martin Vella

Mar 22nd 2010, 11:01

roads are becoming lethal and we need more police petrol even on Sundays

M Cassar

Mar 22nd 2010, 11:01

Without going into the merits of the case as long as we have laws of the jungle in the streets where everyone drives like a maniac, and as long as we do not start imposing harsh fines and suspending driving licences this will keep on happening. RIP to the person involved.

J Cassar

Mar 22nd 2010, 10:43

Traffic congestion and panic has been created between Hal-Far and Zurrieq, the only artery, because no there is no other way!!!

P. Montebello

Mar 22nd 2010, 10:18

Mr Camilleri,
Also for your attention the road from the Airport, passing through Hal Far to Birzebbugia is OPEN.

M.Brincat

Mar 22nd 2010, 10:06

Imut guvni u intom tinkwetaw ghall-potholes. Ma nafx jien . .

Claire Busuttil

Mar 22nd 2010, 10:05

Kondoljanzi lil familjari u hbieb ta dal il guvni. Kien x kien l incident.

Mario Aquilina

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:56

Yesterday, Jermyn Clarkson from Top Gear, mentioned Malta, in the driving/car section of The Times On Sunday, a British newspaper, regard the potholes. We seem to be getting popular for the wrong reasons.

J Farrugia

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:55

as long as this Joe Camilleri denigrates all that we maltese do in our country it's all right with him. If you dont want to use your mind, you will be the loser. Have fun.

SMifsud

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:55

@ J.Camilleri

Fully agree. Also the road Halfar-Zurrieq (Xarolla) is closed,.... has been closed for months. But there are a lot of airstrips , airport, medavia etc maybe we are expected to fly :)

C Vassallo

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:54

F'cirkustanzi simili ta' accidenti sfortunati bhal dawn, residenti fl-inhawi ta' Hal Kirkop, Safi u l-madwar artelnattiva wahda jkollhom, li jiehdu nofs ta` nhar 'leave' tikkunsidra c-cirkostanzi kif inhuma. F'granet meta t-toroq kollha jkunu miftuha (bla manutenzjoni fit-toroq tal-madwar) diga tkun diffikulta` biex tlahhaq f'hinijiet normali ta' xoghol/skola, ahseb u ara meta jkun hemm xi devjazzjoni. Tajjeb wiehed isemmi li gieli jkun hemm haddiema, jew jizbru l-pjanti/sigar ta' din it-triq (specjalment ir-'round-about'), jew inkella jkun hemm xi tiswijiet zghar fit-triq, fil-hinijiet bikrija tas-seba ta' filghodu, fejn kulhadd irid jghaddi minn din it-triq jew inkella il-hinijiet traffikuzi bejn l-erbgha u nofs u l-hamsa u nofs ta wara nofs-in-nhar.

Punt iehor li ta' min wiehed isemmi hu li meta wiehed jidhol/johrog minn din il-mina, il-kuntrast bejn id-dawl artificjali ta' gol-mina u dak tax-xemx li taghmik hu wiehed kbir. Ma nafx ghala mini ohra f'pajjizna huma mdawwla sew (fosthom dawk b'tubi li jarmu dawl abjad) u din il-mina li hi wahda mil-itwal f'pajjizna hija mdawla fuq naha wahda biss b'fanali sofor li jkun impossibli li jirrifletti fuq id-duhhan li jiksi l-hitan tal-mina.

Paul Barrett

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:52

My condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased young man and best wishes for a quick recovery for the passenger.
Hopefully the passenger can throw some light on what actually happened in this tragic accident.

petra borg

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:48

A man just lost his life here. Who cares about alternative routes. Have some respect. Condolences to the young man's family and friends.

Henry Spiteri

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:32

@Joe Camilleri:Road from Imqabba to Siggiewi has been recently resurfaced, not a single pothole !

JAFarrugia

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:30

''The police advised motorists to seek alternative routes.''
How about seeing some police helping traffic instead of doing nothing as usual. As for routes, Kindly suggest instead of a pathetic statement like that.

Just for info the Mqabba to Siggiewi has finally been done.

M A Vassallo

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:25

Mr. Camilleri,
FYI Imqabba-Siggiewi road has been resurfaced recently

Joe Camilleri

Mar 22nd 2010, 09:01

"The police advised motorists to seek alternative routes." as if there is a lot from where to choose. The road through Hal Far / Birzebbugia is closed, and from Imqabba to Siggiewi full of potholes and Qrendi /Hagar Qim/ Ghar lapsi the same.