A security guard died in a head-on collision in Ħamrun yesterday morning after he apparently suffered a heart attack.

Francis Camilleri, 59, of Cospicua, was on his way to work when he lost control of his Ford Fiesta at about 6 a.m. and smashed into a Toyota Hilux driven by a 50-year-old man from Siġġiewi.

A spokesman for the Civil Protection Department said that although Mr Camilleri was not trapped in the wreckage he had to be taken out of the car by firemen because he was unconscious.

Mr Camilleri was given mouth to mouth respiration as an emergency doctor tried resuscitating him with a defibrillator before he was rushed to hospital.

However, he died at about 7.30 a.m. with doctors trying to stabilise his condition.

The police said it was likely that he suffered a heart attack at the wheel, causing him to lose consciousness and collide with the other vehicle. This is expected to be confirmed by the outcome of a post mortem examination.

Duty Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera has opened an inquiry and investigations by the district police are underway.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com