A 60-year-old fuel truck driver lost his life in a distressing accident in Akaki, Nicosia, on December 17th, said authorities.

Droso Pierides died in an ambulance en route to the hospital after he was trapped in the fuel truck which overturned on the Akaki-Kokkinotrimithia road just after 1pm. The fire services blocked off the roads, fearing that a fire could start due to the spilled fuel.

The co-driver is fighting for his life in Nicosia General Hospital after being critically injured in the accident.

The police haven’t confirmed the cause of the accident so far.

It is the latest in a sadly long string of road fatalities in 2015, during which so many lives were lost needlessly in preventable accidents. Often due to careless road habits, speeding or drink-driving, the accidents deprive families of their parents, children and relatives.

Happening as it did just before Christmas, it’s even more important to learn the lesson from this latest tragedy and be cautious on the roads, don’t drink and drive, and drive defensively by avoiding getting too close to the car in front of you, attempting to overtake on blind bends, or staying parallel to other cars on the highway.

Stay safe this holiday season, for the sake of those who love you.