A nasty crash could have had worse consequences were it not for a truck driver's quick reactions, swerving to avoid ramming head-on into an oncoming van whose driver was critically injured in the accident.

Josef Said, 29, was delivering a truckload of boulders from a nearby quarry yesterday when he suddenly came face to face with a van driven by Stephanie Debono, 20, at a blind corner in Triq Qasam San Ġorġ, Victoria.

Sources said Mr Said's instinct was to turn sharply to his left, smashing a low stone wall and front wheels going over the edge of the road, with a field five feet below. He broke his arm on impact.

Despite the long break marks, Ms Debono, who was transporting bread in her Ford Transit, smashed into the truck.

She was rushed to Gozo General Hospital where she was found to be critically injured and flown over to Malta by an Armed Forces of Malta helicopter for intensive care.

Her condition was said to have improved yesterday evening.

Both drivers live in Żebbuġ, Gozo.

Sources involved in the investigation later said that were it not for the truck driver's quick reaction, chances were that Ms Debono would have died on the spot.

The street remained closed until an onsite inquiry was conducted by Magistrate Paul Coppini, assisted by court experts, and the wreckage removed.

Investigations headed by Inspector Josric Mifsud are under way.

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