Newsroom
Three men were killed on the road in two different districts over the long holiday weekend, with Paphos police arresting a hit-and-run driver who says he panicked and Ayia Napa authorities confirming a young man was driving after consuming mood-altering drugs.
Police said Georgian national Merab Maglakelidze, aged 59, was struck by an oncoming vehicle on Sunday night around 10:55pm as he was attempting to cross the road in Mesogi.
Local media said Maglakelidze, who was a passenger in another vehicle that stopped on Panicou Hadjipanagi Street, reportedly exited the car and attempted to cross the road, when a second vehicle fatally struck the pedestrian under circumstances still pending investigation.
Less than two hours later, an Israeli tourist was killed outside Ayia Napa after his electric scooter collided head on with an oncoming vehicle
A 36-year-old male from Sri Lanka, described as a resident of Cyprus, was placed into police custody on Monday in connection with the fatality, with reports saying the driver told investigators he had fled the scene because he was afraid to stop.
Less than two hours later, a male tourist was killed outside Ayia Napa, Famagusta district, after his electric scooter collided head on with another vehicle.
Police said 68-year-old Israeli national Tzvi Poghal was on his scooter when he collided with a car driven by a 26-year-old Greek Cypriot male.
Officials did not provide details about the circumstances of the incident while additional reports suggested Poghal was going the wrong way but it was not fully clear if he was in the middle of the road or moving along the roadside.
An official report said the driver tested positive for amphetamines during a preliminary exam.
The two road deaths came after another man died in Famagusta district on Friday after his scooter collided with a car in Sotira.
Police said 52-year-old Andreas Hadjifilippou from Sotira was riding his scooter in the local industrial park when he collided with a car driven by a 46-year-old Greek Cypriot male from Liopetri.
The incident took place on an unregistered road Friday morning just before 8am, with reports saying a Breathalyzer test on the car driver was negative.
In other incidents, a 19-year-old local male in Limassol was hospitalized in critical condition after he was injured Monday early morning at 12:40am. Reports said his motorcycle collided with a car driven by a 23-year-old female, who reportedly blocked the biker’s path.
Police said the young man suffered extremely serious injuries, adding he was not using a helmet at the time of the accident. The car driver reportedly took a breathalyzer which showed zero alcohol.
Hours later, a 22-year-old man in Paphos was injured after his motorcycle collided with a tow truck driven by a 32-year-old male. The incident took place around 1:10pm, with reports saying the young man had a broken leg and had fractured his pelvis.
