A 25-year-old from Mġarr, Wayne Vella, died yesterday crushed by the bucket of a small bulldozer he was working on at the family business in the limits of Mosta.

A mechanical technician, Mr Vella was doing maintenance work on a bobcat and the bucket fell, causing grievous injuries, according to police.

The man, who celebrated his birthday two weeks ago, died in hospital after being rushed there in an ambulance. There were other workers on site, including family members.

He was working at the heavy vehicle depot belonging to Swaey Brothers Ltd in the industrial zone at Blata l-Għolja when the incident happened at about 3 p.m.

A magisterial inquiry is under way.

Last year Mr Vella took part in the Kilimanjaro Challenge Four to raise funds for charity and ironically his motto on Facebook was: “You have to risk it, to get the biscuit”.

An emotional Keith Marshall, the man behind the Kilimanjaro Challenge, described Mr Vella as “rough, tough with a heart of gold”.

“The world lost a lot with Wayne’s death,” Mr Marshall said.