A bus driver was seriously injured after he was trapped behind the wheel following a traffic accident on the Regional Road in St Julian's, the police said.

The accident took place at 10.30am.

Civil Protection Department officers were on site to assist the man, aged 37 of Marsascala, who was taken to hospital for treatment.

He was later found to have suffered critical injuries.

The bus was involved in a crash with a Ford Torneo Courier whose driver, a 39-year-old woman of Naxxar, was unhurt.

The bus was not in service at the time so it was not carrying any passengers.

Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia is leading an inquiry.

Both the southbound and northbound carriageways were temporarily closed to traffic.