Young student critical after collision

A nine-year-old student is in danger of dying, a driver sustained serious injuries and two others, including another student, 14, were hospitalised following a collision between a coach and an empty route bus in Zebbug yesterday afternoon.

The police said the accident occurred in Siggiewi Road, Zebbug, at about 2 p.m. when a Leyland route bus, driven by a 33-year-old Mqabba man, was in collision with a Bedford Dominant coach. At the wheel of the coach was a Birkirkara man, 28. At the time the coach was transporting schoolchildren back home from Santa Monica school, in Birkirkara.

The two students, both from Zebbug, were injured as were the two drivers, the police said.

The younger girl was found to be in critical condition while the coach driver sustained grievous injuries to his left arm.

The other two casualties suffered slight injuries, the police said.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi opened an inquiry and nominated a number of experts to assist him.

The Qormi district police are investigating.