Tram driver suspended over fatality

Police are investigating the death of a 56-year-old man who was knocked down by a tram in Western District yesterday.

Ho Tze-yin, was crossing the road at the junction of Des Voeux Road West and Centre Street at about 12.30pm when he was hit by the tram, which was heading to Kennedy Town.

The tram driver braked but was unable to stop in enough time and ran over the man, trapping him underneath.

Firefighters freed him but he was taken to Queen Mary Hospital in critical condition with head injuries and declared dead at about 3pm.

An initial investigation found Ho had ignored the traffic lights when he started to cross the road.

Police said that although the tram driver, 27, passed a breathalyser test with a low reading, he had consumed alcohol before the accident.

'A verbal warning was given to the driver,' a police spokesman said.

The driver, who has been in the job for a year, was immediately suspended.

Traffic in the area and tram services were halted for about one hour while rescuers were removing the man from under the tram.

Ho was a retired civil servant, who had spent decades working as an engineer with the Housing Department. He was divorced and lived in Western District.

The Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island, is investigating the case.

Officers urged anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward and contact the police on 31068838 or 31068800.