Updated | 76-year-old woman killed in tragic traffic accident

Maria Degabriele, 76 of Attard, was killed this evening in a tragic traffic accident in Attard.

According to preliminary investigations, Degabriele was walking on the sidewalk with another woman when she was hit by a car.

The second woman was hospitalised suffering from slight injuries and was treated for shock. The driver was also treated for shock.

The accident happened at around 8:20pm in Victor Vassalli Street.

The driver, a 28-year-old man from Birkirkara, claims he was forced to swerve onto the pavement to avoid crashing into a car that was reversing without its lights on.

The car suffered extensive damages after the motorists swerved onto the pavement, crashing into a front yard first and then getting back onto the road.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke is leading the inquiry. Police inspector Luke Bonello and police sergeant Antoine Zammit are investigating.