76 medical professionals called in to assist in Mgarr accident - Hospital CEO

Whilst 400 standby requests were sent to medical professionals, 76 were called in to Mater Dei Hospital to assist with the tragedy that occurred on Sunday evening in Mgarr.

Mater Dei Hospital CEO, Ivan Falzon, told The Malta Independent that a system is in place to call professionals on standby. Once stock is taken of the situation, the required specialists are called in to the hospital.

The accident took place at around 8.30 pm on the road that leads from Mosta to Mgarr, an area where extensive road works are currently being carried out. The collision involved a Maruti and an Audi.

Two women from Zabbar, who were in the Maruti, were confirmed dead at the scene. They were identified as Graziella Mallia, aged 53 and her daughter, Fallon Mallia, aged 31. Aside from the two lives lost, seven others, including four children, were injured.

The 76 professionals called in included nurses, doctors, specialist paediatric nurses, radiographers, paediatric surgeons and other surgeons and consultants.

Radiographers were required since two CT scans had to be used, due to the number of head injuries sustained by the casualties.

Professionals from Mount Carmel Hospital were also called in to assist the relatives with any psychological help they may have needed in this difficult time.

Fallon Mallia’s son, Eli, who is 12 years-old, is currently in the Intensive Therapy Unit.

He is soon to be transferred to the children’s ward, Fairyland. Eli, who lost both his mother and grandmother in the accident, is also receiving psychological support from the relevant medical professionals.

His great-grandmother, Lucy, is also in the Intensive Therapy Unit.

Six ambulances were sent to the scene of the accident, each equipped with their own team, according to Falzon. The Major Incidents Unit was also present, equipped with all supplies necessary. Two emergency doctors were also on site.

Falzon said that after two hours the emergency situation in the hospital had calmed down. He also explained that whilst in this case not much blood supply was required, since most injuries were to the head, he still made an appeal for people to donate blood since it is always required.

He also thanked the public, especially those waiting in the emergency department, who understood the situation and collaborated with the staff.

It appears that most major incidents, for example Paqpaqli, and also when the stairs of a night club in Paceville collapsed, happen on Saturday or Sunday. Falzon explained that this is probably because the Maltese public go out more during the weekends.

He went on to say that although Mater Dei Hospital is not fully staffed, like on weekdays, there is a standby plan in place that so far has worked well and covered all scenarios.

Road works not to blame for Mgarr accident Transport Minister Ian Borg

Addressing a business breakfast on Monday, Transport Minister Ian Borg said that road works are not to blame for any of the traffic accidents which took place over the past weekend.

While urging drivers to be safe, he said that the lives of others are also at risk. He also pointed out that a magisterial inquiry into the accident is underway.

Speaking in Parliament late on Monday afternoon, Borg was questioned on the incident during the period reserved for Parliamentary Questions and he reiterated his statement from the same morning.

Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar and the now Independent MP Hermann Schiavone asked about safety measures that were being taken with regards to works on Maltese roads. Borg explained Sunday’s incident took place on an existing lane and that at this point it was best to err on the side of caution and wait for the outcome of the magisterial inquiry before making further comments.

He said that Infrastructure Malta do not wait for incidents to occur before checking the safety measures of each site, adding that the agency already does everything to make sure that all safety features are followed.

“It is an ongoing process and there is no need for political intervention for it to be carried out,” he said.

Questions have been sent by this newsroom to Transport Malta concerning safety measures in the area and the contractor’s obligations.