I am the motorbike rider who was involved in a collision in Tal-Barrani on the evening of July 16. Although my memory of the impact and the time that followed is still missing I can assure the reader who wished me an RIP that my prognosis is decidedly better.

It is, in fact, about the staff at Mater Dei Hospital that I wish to write. In 46 years I have never been to a hospital as a patient so I cannot make a comparison. They are dealing with some difficult patients, who are in turn dealing with difficult situations, new pains, loss of mobility, and so on. Yet they remain patient and friendly and professional. They exhibit compassion to thousands of people whose attitude – as I observed – could be rather bad-mannered. I thank all of them. A friendly nurse or care worker can make such a big difference.

I would also like to thank my friends and family who visited me and who used Facebook to get in touch. Social media can break through the isolation of a hospital ward at any time of day or night.

To all drivers everywhere, I say – be more careful. Checking again for a second can be the difference between a major accident or not.

I could easily not have been here to write this.

Thanks again to everyone.