The 31-year-old taxi driver who lost his life in a head-on collision in Burmarrad early Saturday was driving well over the speed limit and was not wearing his seatbelt, a preliminary investigation has revealed.

A source close to the investigation told The Sunday Times of Malta that Safi resident Christen Cachia was driving his white Peugeot 207 at well over 100 kilometres per hour when it slammed into an oncoming Peugeot Partner, also a taxi, being driven by a 59-year-old from Żejtun.

The crash took place on Burmarrad Road at 12.15am. Four young Scottish tourists aged 18 to 24, who were inside the taxi van heading towards Mosta, sustained slight injuries.

However, the van driver was not wearing his seat belt either and was seriously injured, the source said. Mr Cachia was travelling towards Buġibba while the taxi van was taking the Scots from Café Del Mar in Buġibba to Numero Uno in Ta’ Qali, where the popular Lost and Found party was being held. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to the police, the collision sent the smaller vehicle flying into the air.

Mr Cachia was flung out of the car with the force of the impact. The car then hit a wall at the side of the road and came to rest in a service ditch facing the opposite direction.

Paramedics worked frantically to save his life. He was given CPR for over an hour before being pronounced dead at Mater Dei Hospital.

Mr Cachia, a former Armed Forces of Malta soldier, leaves behind a young daughter.

The preliminary investigation shows that his taxi was within the speed limit when it passed the speed camera but then accelerated rapidly. The wet conditions may have contributed to the accident.

As the news of his death reached his hometown, tributes poured in online for the victim who was the ex-licensee of the locality’s fireworks factory. He was also heavily involved in the village feast and was a much-loved member of the Safi community.