Renowned Hong Kong plastic surgeon Dr Wilson Ho Wai-sun was one of two people killed in a crash involving a taxi and a double-decker bus in Wan Chai on Sunday night, the Post has learned.
The northbound taxi carrying Ho and a female passenger was driving on Fleming Road when it collided with an eastbound Citybus double-decker with no passengers on board at the intersection with Harbour Road at around 9.25pm.
Both Ho, 59, and the 47-year-old mainland woman, were left unconscious after the crash.
She was taken to Ruttonjee Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 10.08pm, while Ho was sent to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, where he was declared dead at 11.18pm.
The 33-year-old taxi driver suffered injuries and was sent to Ruttonjee Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan.
Officers arrested the cabby on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death, which is punishable by up to 10 years behind bars.
The bus driver, 30, was not hurt.
Citybus on Monday said the bus was not operating a route at the time and had followed traffic signals when passing through the intersection of Harbour Road and Fleming Road.
Officers from the force’s Hong Kong Island regional headquarters are investigating the case.
Ho gained recognition for his exemplary work, including providing reconstructive surgery to six burn victims of the Pat Sin Leng hill fire in 1996, which killed five people and injured 13 others.
The Federation of Medical Societies expressed deep shock over Ho’s death, praising him as an outstanding plastic surgeon who made significant contributions to the field in Hong Kong.
“Dr Ho was highly respected by his peers and served as an important leader in the Association of Cosmetic Surgery,” it said. “His passing is a great loss to the medical community in Hong Kong.”
The association extended condolences to Ho’s family.
Doctors from Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, among other places, expressed their condolences on Facebook, praising Ho’s integrity, humour and popularity.
A spokesman for the bus company said: “Citybus is deeply saddened by the incident and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.
“We will fully cooperate with the police investigation.”