Helicopter bid called off

Rescuers yesterday called off plans to use a helicopter to help find the elderly caretaker of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery who was believed buried under a mudslide.

Ma Shuk-fong, 73, has been missing since more than 400 cubic metres of mud and trees buried her house next to the world-famous Sha Tin landmark on Wednesday.

The Fire Services Department asked the Government Flying Service to send a helicopter to help clear debris at the site.

'But the plan was later aborted because it was getting dark,' a government spokesman said.

Ms Ma's daughter, son and grandchildren were waiting anxiously at the scene.

'My mother is really beneath the mud . . . she never goes down the hill,' her daughter cried.