Catering industry tycoon James Barbara and his wife have been badly injured in a late-night car crash in Żejtun.

The Tarxien couple were rushed to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance after crashing at 12.30am on Triq Bormla. 

Barbara, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, was driving a Lamborghini Urus when he lost control of the car and crashed into a house. His wife, Michelle, 45, was in the passenger seat at the time.

The businessman is best known as the man behind James Caterers Ltd, which he set up in in 1989 as a one-man business that gradually grew into one of the country's largest catering groups. 

In 2017 he was awarded the  ‘B’Ħilti Wasalt’ prize by then-president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, in honour of his company’s initiatives to help disadvantaged youths develop a career in catering.

Police described Barbara's injuries as "grievous" and said his wife was seriously hurt.

Members of the Civil Protection Department and a medical team were called on site to assist the couple. 

An inquiry is being held. The police are investigating.