Biker killed after collision in Xylophagou (updated)

Police on Tuesday arrested a 45-year-old garbage truck driver after his vehicle was involved in a fatal collision with a motorcyclist during early morning hours in Xylophagou, Larnaca.

The victim was named as Andreas Kota, 25. He is the second motorcyclist to have been killed on the island’s roads in the past 48 hours.

According to a police announcement, Kota was driving on Michalakis Vrahimi avenue in Xylophagou around 2.45am when a garbage truck collided into his motorcycle.

As a result of the collision, the young man was thrown from the motorcycle and was fatally wounded while a fire broke out at the scene which destroyed the motorcycle.

Police said Kota was not wearing a helmet.

The 45-year-old truck driver was arrested, questioned and released. He had tested negative to an alcohol test.

Kota was the second motorcyclist who died in a traffic collision in the last two days.

Late on Sunday, 28-year-old motorcyclist Savvas Gamvroudiou died on Omonia avenue, Limassol after a collision with a car which reportedly attempted a U turn from the west side of the four-lane avenue.

The two latest victims raise the total number of motorcyclists’ deaths in traffic collisions so far this year to 12. There has been a total of 26 road deaths so far this year after 25 fatal accidents, police told the Cyprus Mail.

Last year, there were 29 road fatalities.