A 19-year-old from Naxxar is on the critical list after a traffic collision took place in the early hours of New Year’s day.

The incident took place on Tower Road, Sliema, at about 4.45am when a Fiat Uno, driven by a 22-year-old from San Gwann collided with a Ford Transit van being driven by a 61-year-old from Rabat. Two 19-year-olds were passengers in the Fiat Uno and one of them sustained severe, life-threatening injuries.

Members of the Civil Protection Department arrived to cut the occupants of the Fiat Uno out of the wreckage. A paramedic team swiftly rushed one of the youths to St Luke’s Hospital, where he was certified to be in a critical condition. The two other men were also taken to hospital, along with the driver of the van, who were all found to be suffering from minor injuries. They were all kept in for observation. Duty magistrate Joe Cassar appointed a team of experts to help in drawing up an onsite inquiry. The police are also investigating.