Salvatore Licitra’s brother tells what happened before the tenor’s accident

Fabio Licitra, younger brother of tenor Salvatore, who is still in a coma in Catania, yesterday received an award on behalf of his brother. “Ragusani nel Mondo” is a yearly prize for citizens of Ragusa who have done the city proud internationally.

With a voice quavering with emotion, he recounted the events before the accident, and didn't waste the opportunity to warn the Sicilians who famously travel on their motorbikes without helmets.

I'm sorry that you haven't had the pleasure of knowing a special person. But “Fra'”, as I call him, was unfortunate that evening because he couldn't find a parking place outside the restaurant.

Being that he only had to move the bike 200 metres away, he left his helmet in the pannier. Anyone would have done the same. He must have suddenly felt ill – he was always responsible, I'm the reckless one – and he accelerated and came off hitting his head.

Always wear a helmet! In Catania I see entire families who go around on motorbikes without helmets!”

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.