Update 2 | 22-year-old dies in Gozo traffic accident

A 22-year-old Maltese man from Swieqi, Matthew Meilak, lost his life in a traffic accident in Nadur, Gozo, in the early hours of the new year - the first tragedy of the 2015.

Preliminary reports suggest that Terrance Tanti, 22, was behind the wheel. With him were Edward James Cole, of Sliema, Miguel Camilleri of San Gwann, Alexander Scerri Herrera of Kappara, and Matthew Meilak, of Swieqi, who died on the spot.

The police said that the San Gwann resident, Miguel Camilleri, has reportedly suffered serious injuries and is being treated at the Gozo General Hospital. His condition is said to be stable. Tanti, Cole, and Scerri Herrera did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.

The five were on their way to Rabat, Gozo, at 3:45am when Tanti lost control of his Peugeot 106 vehicle at a bend on the road, overturning the car on its right side and right into an electricity pole.

Meilak was ejected from the car upon impact, and suffered bruises to his cranium. The man was pronounced dead upon arrival of an ambulance.

The other passengers, all 22 years of age, are being treated at the Gozo General Hospital.The youths are all law students at the University of Malta. Meilak had just graduated notary public in December - he had posted on his Facebook in October that he had been looking forward to graduation, a holiday with friends in Amsterdam, and then partying for Christmas and the New Year.

A magisterial inquiry into the incident is being led by Magistrate Joann Vella Cuschieri, who has appointed court expert Mario Buttigieg.

In a Facebook post, the Law Students' Organisation (GhSL) offered its condolences to Meilak's family and friends, as well as to the other four young men involved in the tragic accident.