Silence settled over a quarry, set among the picturesque hills leading to Għar Lapsi, when a 32-year-old worker was critically injured after he fell the height of eight storeys yesterday afternoon.

The police said the man, who lives in the quiet southern town of Għaxaq, was still breathing when he was carried into a waiting ambulance by firemen and paramedics at about 4 p.m.

He was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was taken into intensive care and was last night still battling for his life because of his extensive injuries.

Sources said that when questioned by the police none of the other quarry workers said they had seen the man fall. They said they last saw him walking towards machinery placed at the quarry's edge and continued with their work. When they realised he did not return, they became suspicious and went to look over the edge, spotting the victim lying on the ground eight storeys below.

One policeman was left with the dusty quarry workers, who had abandoned their heavy machinery and silently gathered in a small room by the large aluminium gate.

The quarry, situated halfway along the hill leading to Għar Lapsi and one of the many pocketing the vicinity, is owned by Polidano Brothers.

Duty Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona appointed a number of experts to assist him in the inquiry.

Police Inspector Malcolm Bondi is heading police investigations.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority is also investigating.