Updated | Mater Dei hospital staff in solidarity gesture with Romanian accident victim

Updated Monday at 4.42pm

Dan Udrea, 38, died in the most unfortunate of accidents on Friday when a big tree fell and crushed his car. The Romanian man was certified dead on site, while his wife Irina, who was a passenger, was hospitalised with critical injuries.

Now, Mater Dei hospital's accident and emergency team are heading an effort to collect funds so that Dan's body can be flown back to his home country, Romania, for burial close to his family.

Mater Dei hospital CEO Ivan Falzon announcing the fund raising effort by hospital medical staff

Mater Dei hospital CEO Ivan Falzon disseminated the news of the fund raising efforts on Sunday evening via Facebook. He asked people willing to contribute to contact him.

Dan and his wife had moved to Malta five years ago. The couple have two children, including a seven-month-old baby. Dan worked in logistics.

The couple were driving down the Mriehel bypass when the tree was pulled from its roots by strong winds, causing it to fall across the road.

Overwhelming response

In an update on Monday morning, Falzon said the response to the emergency team's appeal was overwhelming. He told MaltaToday that the initial target of €2,500 was surpassed in less than 12 hours.

Donations so far have reached €3,275 and the Mater Dei staff have decided to extend the collection effort until Friday.

"People have donated via Paypal and the money will be given directly to Dan's wife when she is discharged from hospital. The next target is €4,000 and in this way all costs to repatriate Dan's body would be covered," Falzon said.