The British man driving the supercar that spun out of control through a crowd during a motor show last week praised the level of service at Mater Dei Hospital before being discharged. He also offered a monetary donation that was, however, turned down.
Hospital chief executive Ivan Falzon said when contacted said that monetary donations were not accepted as a matter of policy. Instead those wishing to make donations were directed to NGOs that work on a voluntary basis in hospital.
Paul Bailey, a 49-year-old multi-millionaire, sustained a fractured skull and had to undergo surgery. Two men, a 54-year-old from Fgura and a 20-year-old from Tarxien are still in intensive care.
Mr Bailey, one of 28 people injured in last Sunday’s crash, was released on Friday afternoon, five days after the tragic incident that shocked the nation. He immediately appeared in court but was not charged, since that would have meant the magisterial inquiry would have been put on hold.
His Porsche 918 Spyder, valued at over €1 million, ploughed through a makeshift barrier before careening into a large number of spectators on October 4.
He was visibly heartbroken and worried about [the victims]
Mr Falzon said Mr Bailey asked to speak to him before leaving hospital. He gave him a letter thanking and praising the staff at Mater Dei for the level of care he received, as well as offering to finance the refurbishment of any wards. During the meeting, Mr Bailey asked about the state of health of the other victims of the crash.
“He was visibly heartbroken and worried about them,” Mr Falzon said.
Before leaving hospital, Mr Bailey donated a Battleship board game to the Rainbow Ward where sick children receive care.
Although the charity event Paqpaqli għall-Istrina is fronted by popular TV personality Tonio Darmanin, according to the official Facebook page it is organised by the Office of the President.
None of the people involved in the organisation or those injured in the tragedy are being allowed to speak to the media until the inquiry led by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera has been concluded.