Driver arrested over collision between truck and light rail train in northern Hong Kong
- Police said an initial investigation indicated the driver had failed to heed a traffic light just before the crash
- The accident sent 20 people to hospital with minor injuries
A truck driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving following a collision between his vehicle and a light rail train in northern Hong Kong on Thursday that sent 20 people to hospital.
Emergency personnel were called to the scene of the accident near Chung Uk Tsuen station in the Hung Shiu Kiu section of Tuen Mun’s Castle Peak Road at 1.12pm. The train was carrying about 100 passengers at the time of the incident.
A police spokeswoman said that those hurt – 14 women and six men – were passengers of the light rail train, and only suffered minor injuries in the incident. Eight fire engines and nine ambulances were deployed to the scene.
She added that the injured, aged 10 to 69, were taken to Tuen Mun Hospital and Tin Shui Wai Hospital for treatment. The two drivers, aged 49 and 63, were unhurt in the incident.
Woman dies at hospital after being airlifted from Hong Kong hiking trail
According to the Transport Department, four light rail routes – Nos 610, 614, 615 and 751 – were diverted and would not stop between Lam Tei and Hung Shiu Kiu stops. A free MTR shuttle bus service was provided between Hung Tin Road Emergency Platform and Siu Hong to carry affected passengers.
The police force said light rail service had returned to normal shortly before 3.30pm. The truck, meanwhile, was towed to a government facility in Tai Lam Chung, Tuen Mun for examination.
The spokeswoman said an initial investigation indicated the truck driver had failed to comply with a traffic light, and made a left turn onto a path from Castle Peak Road before the collision happened.
As of 4pm, he was still being held for questioning and had not been charged.
Police said officers from the New Territories North traffic unit were investigating the accident.
