Erin Tanti, the drama teacher accused of murdering 15-year-old Lisa Marie Zahra, sustained injuries compatible to a fall from a height, a court heard today.

Cardio thoracic surgeon Peter Paul Vassallo and anaesthetist Noel Borg said today that Mr Tanti, 24, had a number of broken ribs and a perforated lung.

They said Tanti had air in his chest cavity, which required the “potentially life-saving” chest draining procedure. The injuries were compatible to a fall from a height. 

Mr Tanti is pleading not guilty to the murder of Lisa Marie Zahra, assisting her to commit suicide, defiling her, participating in sexual acts with her and being in possession of indecent images of a minor. Ms Zahra was found dead at the bottom of a clif in Dingli on March 19 2014. Mr Tanti was found seriously injured a few metres away.

Mr Vassallo said Mr Tanti was asleep when he examined him in the Intensive Therapy Unit, where the accused spent three days. He was sedated, his pulse was stable and oxygen levels were good.

The patient underwent a CT scan, which revealed multiple broken ribs and a punctured right lung.

The injuries, he said, were compatible with blunt trauma and correspond with the version given to him that Mr Tanti had fallen from a height.

Anaesthetist Noel Borg said he examined Mr Tanti on 19 March and decided that his injuries merited ITU treatment. Mr Tanti told him that he had ingested a number of pills and tests revealed traces of aspirin in his body.

Mr Borg said the accused had also suffered spinal injuries and a contusion to his liver. He was transferred to a ward three days after being admitted to the ITU.

Mr Tanti was coherent and knew where he was and what had happened to him.The case continues on April 30. 

Police Inspector Keith Arnaud is prosecuting. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Scirihaare appearing for Erin Tanti. Lawyers Joe Giglio, Steve TonnaLowell and GianlucaCaruana Curran are appearing parte civile for the Zahra family.