Six fatal traffic accidents recorded in first five months

The unfortunate death of 75-year-old Maria McKay yesterday morning has seen this year’s traffic related deaths increase six. Statistics analysing traffic fatalities between 2005 and 2014 have revealed that in the first five months of the year, four males and two women died in traffic incidents across the island.

January was the deadliest month as three deaths were recorded, closely followed by March at two deaths. One death has so far been recorded in May. 

The first fatality of the year saw the death of 32-year-old motorcyclist Clive Brincat of Floriana. Brincat died in a collission between his motorcycle and a Peugeot 206 in Triq il-Konvoy ta’ Santa Maria, Mqabba, on January 10th at around 5:12 am.

Jus three days later, 38-year-old Karen Cutajar lost her life - the second fatality of the year. Cutajar lost her life when the car she was driving. a Fiat 600, crashed head-on with a truck in Salini Road, Naxxar.

The first month of the year also saw the unfortunate death of Philip Scott Attard - the first of two Britons and three foreign nationals who died on Malta's roads. The incident occurred on January 24th when the 44-year-old man, who resided at Ghaxaq, was hit by an Opel Corsa while walking along Triq Hal Farrug, Hal Farrug. Still lying on the ground after his initial incident, Attard was then ran over by a Ford Escort.

Fellow Briton John Darrey Casey was the fourth fatality of the year.

The incident occurred on 5th March in Triq Burmarrad, Mosta, when Casey lost control of his Volkswagen Polo and collided with a Vauxhall Brava driving in the opposite direction. The man was taken to Mater Dei Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

March also saw the death of 19-year-old Somali national Ibrahim Ismail Yasin who was hit by a Fiat Fioretino while crossing Aldo Moro street in Marsa. The force of the impact threw the 19-year-old to the other carriageway and seriously injured him. Four days later, the Somali succumbed to his injuries.

The sixth fatality of the year occurred on Saturday 24th May. In the year's first hit-and-run fatality, the 75-year-old lost her life after being hit by a sewage bowser while she was on a pedestrian crossing in the area known as l-Ghajn tal-Hasselin, Msida.

The highest number of fatalities was recorded in 2009, during which 21 traffic related deaths were recorded. 2009 saw the second-highest deaths at 20, while 19 fatalities were recorded last year.

During 2005 and 2014, a total of 136 traffic-related deaths were recorded. 111 of the victims were men, while women accounted to 29 of the victims. Six children aged 15 or under died during the 2005 and 2014.

Traffic Related deaths as of 24th May 2014: 2005- 2014