Hikers rescued as heat sends scores to hospitals

Scores of people ended up in hospital yesterday because of the heat, with maximum temperatures reaching 33.7 degrees Celsius in some areas. An 80-year-old man collapsed while walking with his wife near Lung Lok House, Lower Wong Tai Sin Estate, at 9.50am and was later declared dead in hospital, though the cause of death was unknown last night. A 41-year-old hiker was flown to hospital from Tung Lung Chau at about 1pm after falling ill in the heat. In Tai Tan, Sai Kung, a man and woman overwhelmed by heat while hiking were also airlifted to hospital at 1.50pm, while in Kam Shan Country Park in north Kowloon, rescuers were called to take a 76-year-old hiker to hospital. The mercury at the Observatory's Tsim Sha Tsui headquarters hit 32.8 degrees at about 3.30pm, but 33.7 degrees was recorded at Ta Kwu Ling and Tuen Mun at 2.34pm and 12.54pm, respectively, the two hottest spots in the city. It was 33.6 degrees at Sheung Shui at about 3.30pm, while the airport, Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O also surpassed 33 degrees.

Woman held for drink-driving