Both taxi and fight to blame for death
Mario Galea
A beating and injuries sustained after being run over by a taxi both contributed to the death of hairdresser Mario Galea, who was found sprawled in a Paceville road last Friday.
The 47-year-old died from asphyxia – blood he inhaled after the thrashing blocked his airways – followed by pressure on his chest caused by the taxi that accidentally ran him over, an autopsy concluded yesterday.
On the night, two 28-year-old men – Joe Zahra and Gozitan Brian Cini, who both live in St Julian’s – were involved in an argument with Mr Galea and they have since been charged with his murder.
The incident happened in Paceville Avenue at 3.40 a.m. when a fight broke out between the three men.
‘Why didn’t anyone help?’
Mr Galea ended up sprawled in the middle of the road. CCTV footage zooming in on Paceville Avenue, a road that links motorists to the island’s hub of entertainment, shows Mr Galea being kicked and punched as he lay slumped on the road.
Investigators are trying to establish if the row was drug-related.
As he lay motionless, Mr Galea was accidentally run over by taxi driver Robert Aquilina.
When contacted, Mr Galea’s sister, Carmen, said she was still trying to understand how none of the bystanders did anything to break up the fight or later prevent her younger brother from being run over.
“Why didn’t anyone do anything to try to help or stop the taxi from turning into the road? Where’s the humanity?
“It’s heartless to leave him in the middle of the road. I hope justice is done,” she said.
Mr Galea’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Stella Maris parish church.
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11 Comments
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A. Baldacchino
Aug 17th 2012, 08:13
Rip Mario and condolonces for all the family . I remember Mario at our schooldays , he was a cute boy and we really enjoyed those times ............
Margaret Vella
Aug 16th 2012, 23:25
Do not blame the people that saw the fight.. who ever goes to pv knows that loads of fight take place, & if you get involved you might get in trouble... Maybe those people, yes, should have called the police or helped him by getting him off the street after that the two aggressors where gone...
Jonathan Grech
Aug 16th 2012, 14:02
Give the taxi driver a rest,wrong place wrong moment.im sure it was an accident and it,s easy to miss out on seeing a man lying in the street exactly at it,s corner especially at that time. May Mr Galea rest in peace and justice be done with the culprits.R.I.P
K. Vella
Aug 16th 2012, 11:57
Control the Taxi drivers speed.....
I see taxis speed up infront of traffic policemen and nothing happens, zig zagging the roads seems that they own the right of way thus creating risks to other fellow drivers.
Joseph Zerafa
Aug 15th 2012, 22:10
RIP pal. Condolences to your loved ones.
Marianne Tabone
Aug 15th 2012, 21:56
I simply cannot understand how indifferent the people who saw Mr. Galea lying on the street were. They did not do anything!! Phone for help, stop the taxi, try to break up the fight. Have we become so cold blooded and insensitive in this island of ours that we see someone needing help and simply stare as if we had been an audience at the Colosseum when human life was considered so cheap? Shame on those who witnessed the tragedy and simply stood and stared! How can they sleep knowing that they did nothing when an action by them could have saved a human life? Shame on them!
Lee Micallef
Aug 15th 2012, 17:36
No to sound to harsh on the taxi driver but how did he not see the victim in the road ?
Tony Aquilina
Aug 15th 2012, 20:28
i happen to live close to wher the accident took place and also have seen the police cars when it happened.. at the time the accident happened its when the street lights are switched off but its still a bit dark . i myself wouldnt have noticed if a person was lying on the ground at that time of the day .
Lee Micallef
Aug 16th 2012, 11:37
But Tony even if its dark the taxi has headlights ?
rebecca watts
Aug 15th 2012, 13:14
poor man and poor taxi driver, this must already haunt him without having half the blame put on him. That man was laying in the road as a direct result of some disgusting individuals who beat him. Its them who should be blamed.
Alex Ciantar
Aug 15th 2012, 10:18
Here's to all the good times we had when we were kids. RIP my friend.
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