A 28-year-old motorcyclist from Luqa has died after a crash with another motorcycle on the Regional Road, Gzira, late on Tuesday.

The other motorcyclist, also 28, from Zebbug, suffered slight injuries.

The police said the incident happened at about 11pm as the motorcycles, both Suzuki GSXR600 were being driven towards Marsa.

Both riders fell off their bikes upon impact.

Ambulance crews assisted them both but one of them, identified as Andrea Alamango, succumbed to his injuries at Mater Dei Hospital. His sister was among those to post tributes on Facebook, writing: "Rest easy dear brother, Until we meet again."

In another post later, she paid tribute to her brother saying:

"My heart is aching with every breath. I miss you so much already, we had such a connection you could feel how I was feeling as soon as I walked in a room. I am grateful we spent every minute possible together. I cannot imagine how I will go through the rest of my days not talking to you after anything that goes on in my day, thank you for all the memories, please watch over us now."

A friend said Andrea made sure that people had a smile on their face whenever he saw someone stressed at work. "You left a mark on everyone around you Alamang and you will forever be deeply missed."

A police investigation and a magisterial inquiry are underway.   

Doctor's appeal as death toll exceeds last year's total

The latest fatality is the tenth on the roads this year, already one more than the total for all of last year.

An Emergency Department doctor, Michael Spiteri, issued an appeal int he wake of the latest accident, for drivers to be careful. He wrote:

"Just came back from one of those shifts during which we lost yet another motorcyclist. I am trying to simplify things in the hope that maybe it eventually sinks in... a human body is only able to withstand a finite amount of damage before it dies...no amount of interventions from our end will be able to save someone whose body has been subjected to a force which practically damages all his/her main vital organs... there is only one way to save these people....it is called prevention.

"Driving carefully might not prevent an accident but it will make a difference between life and a certain death. In the event of an accident help us save your life....drive carefully."