The priest who died in a road accident on his way to Mass early on Sunday morning might have survived the crash had he been wearing a seatbelt.

It is a must for one’s own safety and not just because it’s a rule

A traffic expert yesterday appealed to all drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts after it emerged that Fr Renè Cilia, 27, was not wearing his at the time of the fatal accident in Żejtun.

Sources close to the investigation said an autopsy revealed the young priest died of severe head injuries and there were no signs of a prior medical condition.

The car’s airbags inflated and damage to the car was greater on the passenger side – but the priest was not wearing his seatbelt, the sources said.

Lawyer Joe Micallef Stafrace, who has been a court expert for 40 years but was not involved in this investigation, said he had seen many traffic accidents in which a fastened seatbelt would have made all the difference.

It could well have saved Fr Cilia’s life, he said, although it did not necessarily mean it would have prevented the fatality.

“You have to examine the details. But in principle it would have made a big difference. The seat belt is a must for one’s own safety and not just because it’s a rule,” he said when contacted.

Seatbelt provides protection

“Before it became law, we used to see people, especially front-seat passengers, ejected from the car through the windscreen. The seatbelt gives you as lot of protection.”

The popular priest, affectionately known as Dun Renè, lost control of his car on the Tal-Barrani Road as he was driving from his home in Qormi to the Żejtun parish church to celebrate the 7am Mass.

The police said his car mounted the central strip, crossed to the other carriageway and crashed into two oncoming cars.

The driver of one of the cars was seriously injured but not critical while his passenger was slightly injured. The other driver was not hurt.