Six die in Hong Kong truck-car smash

By Peggy Chan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-24 08:02

HONG KONG: A traffic accident claimed the lives of five construction workers and a taxi driver here on Friday morning after a truck went out of control and crushed the taxi.

The 42-year-old truck driver, who suffered minor injuries, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and dangerous driving causing death. He failed a breathalyzer test, the result of which showed his blood-alcohol level was as much as four times the 20-mg limit.

The crash happened at 7:10 am at Lok Ma Chau when the truck collided head-on with a taxi traveling in the opposite lane.

The truck flipped over on its side and the taxi was crushed.

Traffic Branch Headquarters Chief Superintendent Michael Demaid-Groves suspected the truck was on the wrong side of the road.

Li Hong-man, acting superintendent of the investigation & support division of the New Territories north traffic headquarters, said the police would probe the health condition of the drivers and the speed of the vehicles.

The 54-year-old taxi driver died of severe head injuries while the five passengers sustained multiple fractures.

The passengers, all construction workers, shared a taxi to a worksite in Lo Wu every day. Their subcontractor said Friday was the last working day before the Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang visited the scene and pledged to offer assistance to the victims' families.

The amended penalties offered strong deterrence and the administration would continue to improve the system, he said.

In June, the Legislative Council passed an amendment under which convicted drink-drivers will have their licenses suspended for at least three months on their first offence.

(China Daily 01/24/2009 page2)