Car Overturns on Mdina Road: Motorist Hospitalised

As the sun rose over Mdina’s ancient walls this morning, an eerie sight greeted early risers – a car lying on its roof, blocking the narrow road leading into the silent city. The lone occupant, a local resident, was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital with serious injuries.

Scene of the Accident

The incident occurred around 6:30 AM on Triq San Pawl, a winding road that leads to Mdina’s main gate. Witnesses reported hearing a loud screech before the car, a silver Ford Focus, lost control and flipped over. The car came to rest just metres from the historic city’s defensive walls, leaving debris scattered across the road.

Emergency Response

Emergency services were quick to respond. An ambulance from the nearby St. Philip’s Ward arrived within minutes, followed by a team from the Civil Protection Department. Firefighters worked to stabilise the vehicle and extract the injured motorist, who was conscious but visibly shaken.

Dr. Joseph Muscat, a resident of Mdina, was among the first on the scene. “I heard the commotion and rushed out,” he said. “It was a frightening sight. I just hope the driver recovers soon.”

The injured motorist, a 45-year-old man from Birkirkara, was taken to Mater Dei Hospital with suspected broken ribs and a head injury. His condition is stable, and he is currently undergoing further tests.

Investigation Underway

The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation. Police are examining CCTV footage from nearby homes and businesses. Weather conditions were clear, and the road was dry at the time of the incident, suggesting that speed or a mechanical fault may have been factors.

Mdina’s mayor, Dr. Paul Cardona, expressed his concern about the incident. “Mdina’s roads are narrow and winding, designed for horse-drawn carriages, not modern cars,” he said. “We’ve been calling for traffic calming measures and improved signage for years. Perhaps this incident will finally prompt action.”

Local Impact

The accident caused significant disruption to the morning commute. Traffic was diverted through Rabat, leading to delays and gridlock in some areas. Local businesses also felt the impact, with several reporting a drop in customers due to the road closure.

Mdina’s popular breakfast spot, Café Mulino, was one such business affected. Owner Mario Portelli commented, “We usually get a lot of early morning trade from people heading into Mdina. Today, we’ve had barely a quarter of our usual customers.”

Safety Concerns

This incident has once again raised concerns about safety on Malta’s roads, particularly in historic areas like Mdina. According to the Malta Police Force, there have been 11 accidents on Mdina’s roads in the past year, with three resulting in serious injuries.

Road safety advocate, Dr. Maria Attard, called for urgent action. “We’ve been calling for lower speed limits, better signage, and pedestrianisation in Mdina for years. It’s high time our calls were heard.”

With the injured motorist now in stable condition, attention turns to the investigation and the potential impact on Mdina’s road safety. The local council has promised to review traffic management in the area, while the police continue their investigation.

In the meantime, residents and visitors alike are urged to exercise caution on Mdina’s roads. As Dr. Muscat put it, “We all need to do our part to keep Mdina’s streets safe.”