The man who was crushed to death after an unlicensed driver crashed into the bus stop he was sitting in on Tuesday morning had undergone a life saving operation the previous week and was only discharged from hospital a few days before the accident.

66-year-old Gan Patist Azzopardi was chatting with a relative on the bus stop in his home town of Mtarfa when a car suddenly smashed into it, killing him instantly. The bus stop, which is made of stone, collapsed as a result of the heavy impact. A relative of his, Joseph Vella, was rushed to hospital and his condition is still critical, police confirmed yesterday.

Speaking to this newsroom, the wife of the victim said that the operation he underwent was a life saving one but somehow he still ended up leaving this world a few days later.

"He got away with it the first time around when he was operated upon after he was diagnosed with haematoma in his head, a localised collection of blood outside the blood vessels," Mrs Azzopardi said.

She said that at the time of the incident, John Baptist was having a chat with his brother-in-law. His wife said that it was part of his daily routine to meet up with his brothers and other relatives to exchange a word or two on the bus stop.

"He was not waiting for a bus but he was just having a chat. Luckily his brother, who normally joins them for a chat, had left 10 minutes earlier that day because he would have ended up a victim as well," Mrs Azzopardi said.

She explained that one of his relatives was to give him a lift later in the day to purchase some food for his two ponies and goat. He was unable to drive since he was still recovering from his operation.

When asked how her husband's relative is doing, she said that he wasn't very well and is to undergo surgery on Thursday. She said that he is 'crushed' from the waist down.

She said that it is vital awareness on safe driving is enhanced, especially among youths.

"I have heard that the driver did not have a licence; these horrific accidents destroy families. Look where this has gotten us now," she continued.