The man, Victor White, 52, originally from Barbados but who lived in San Gwann, was riding his bicycle through the tunnels in the direction of Msida.

Sources said the truck driver, a 27-year-old man from Paola, hit the man’s bicycle which was being ridden beneath the pavement. It is understood that the truck driver did not notice that he had hit the man and the man and his bicycle were dragged for around 60 metres until he finally fell to the ground, sustaining serious head injuries.

The victim and his bicycle were found half way between his spectacles and the truck, which stopped towards the end of the tunnel after the driver realised what had happened.

An ambulance was called to the scene and the man was rushed to St Luke’s Hospital. However, he died some time later as a result of the grievous head injuries he had sustained. It is understood that he slammed his head against the pavement.

The lack of adequate lighting inside the tunnel is a cause of major concern since this could have been the reason why the cyclist was not seen in the first place.

The incident took place at around 12.30pm and the tunnel, in the direction of Msida, was immediately closed to traffic which was directed down to Spinola Bay. Long traffic jams created havoc, especially in those areas – such as the Swieqi valley – that are not usually inundated with such heavy traffic.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano was on the scene of the accident to conduct an inquiry with the assistance of several court experts including traffic expert Simon Micallef Stafrace and architect Richard Aquilina, among others.

A number of high-ranking police officers, including Superintendent Bertu Mula and police inspector Charles Abdilla were also on scene conducting their investigations.