Umpire dies in car accident
Kay Dayal, a prominent figure on the local cricket scene, died at Queen Mary Hospital last night after being knocked down by a car in Garden Road, Mid-Levels.
The accident happened at 9.30am when the 73-year-old was on his way to umpire a match.
He was crossing the road from his apartment building to catch a bus when a car travelling uphill hit him.
Dayal was taken to hospital semi-conscious and died at 7.30pm.
A witness said the driver swerved into the next lane to avoid hitting Dayal, who tried to step back as he saw the car approach.
He was thrown onto the windscreen and then the road. His head and legs were severely injured.
Police said the driver, a 27-year-old man surnamed Cheng, passed a breathalyser test.
Lal Jayasinghe, friend and colleague of Dayal, said: 'It is very sad for he was an amazing gentleman and one who has done a great deal for local cricket. Whenever we needed an umpire we could always rely on him.'
Dayal, a widower, leaves behind a son and daughter, both of whom were on holiday, said Mr Jayasinghe, development coach of the Hong Kong Cricket Association.
Dayal was due to officiate at an Under-19 league final between Pakistan Association and Little Sai Wan at Po Kong Village Road in Diamond Hill.
He had umpired in the domestic league for four years since arriving from Singapore. And he had been doing so with only one eye after a cricket ball hit him in his left eye during a match last season at Mission Road.
