A construction worker was seriously injured and another slightly hurt when a crane arm snapped off and hit them in Swieqi yesterday. Another worker was treated for shock.

Police said the man who was seriously injured is 23 years old while the other is 20 years old, both from Birzebbuga.

Eyewitnesses told this newspaper that the quiet of Wizna Street was shattered at about 3.30pm when they heard the screams of the men who had been hurt. Many left their houses and saw that the arm had snapped off a crane which was lifting material into a building site on the same street.

One woman said: “I was in the house when I heard screaming. It was odd, I heard no bang as you would expect.”

Within minutes, the police Mobile Squad arrived along with an ambulance. Luckily two of the men, barely out of their teens, walked out. One had a superficial head wound and was more intent on making sure that his workmate was receiving the best possible attention.

It became clear that more help was needed and no less than three Civil Protection Department fire engines arrived on site. Shortly after, a stretcher was taken into the site and the CPD emerged with the seriously injured man. He was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment.

The injured worker’s two mates, almost in tears, pleaded with the ambulance staff to let them accompany their friend to hospital. However, the men were reassured that they would see him soon enough, and that it was better if he were transported on his own.

Police said his condition was still critical last night. Police sources, who were at the scene, told this newspaper that the crane arm operated on hydraulics. However, the main arm came loose and exploded. The pressure contained by the system would all have been let loose at one go, causing the arm to extend at high speed. It is unclear as to how the man was injured, but it is thought that it actually hit the two men who suffered the worst injuries.

Duty magistrate Dr Lawrence Quintano was called to the scene and appointed a number of court experts to assist in an onsite inquiry.

Police investigations are still under way.