The girlfriend of 17-year-old Matthew Bartolo, who died following an accident at work on Thursday afternoon, was planning to surprise him that evening with a romantic visit to the place where they first met.
“My plan was that after work he would go to help with the feast preparations until 7.30pm. Then he’d come to my house in Gudja and I’d take him on the lawn at the airport where we met,” Marija Micallef, 16, recounted.
“So, on Thursday morning, I sent him a message telling him to change his shorts after working for the feast...
“During my work break, at about 1pm, I checked my phone and saw a message from him saying: ‘Why, dear?’ I messaged back: ‘Are you coming to my house?’” He never replied.
Later she found out that the accident had happened at about 12.30pm. She realised that she must have received his message late since her phone was in a place with bad reception and he must have sent it before the accident.
Mr Bartolo died on Thursday afternoon following an accident that occurred while he was operating a woodworking machine at the Construct Furniture factory in Ħal Farruġ, limits of Luqa. A magisterial inquiry is being conducted with the collaboration of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority.
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