Families of three killed in Hong Kong bus crash gather at Sham Shui Po junction to pay respects
Taoist priests in red robes conduct ceremony that includes offering incense and bowing to paper memorial tablets
A busy Hong Kong junction became a place of mourning on Sunday afternoon as the families of three people killed in a bus accident on Friday evening paid their respects to their loved ones.
One of the four passengers stuck on the upper deck after the crash, Tse Fung-ying, 60, died while two of the four pedestrians trapped under the bus, both male aged 49 and 72, were also killed.
The families were invited by Taoist priests dressed in red robes to take turns to offer incense and bow to the paper memorial tablets during the hour-long ceremony.
At least five members of staff from Citybus, which operated the E21A double-decker in the accident, were also seen standing at the ritual paying their respects.
Offerings such as fruit, noodles and chicken were placed at the corner which has turned into a makeshift altar.
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The broken frame of an advertisement signboard damaged by the bus was still seen hanging outside the building, two days after the accident.
Tse’s nephew, who only identified himself by his surname Chow, criticised Citybus for being “unfeeling” in their handling of the aftermath of the accident.
“Citybus did not contact us after the accident ... the families have had to contact them,” said Chow.
He demanded the government and police conduct a thorough investigation into the accident and provide a clear explanation to the victims and their families.
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Chow said his aunt, who was responsible for quality control in a watch factory in Cheung Sha Wan, was taking the bus home to Oi Man Estate, Ho Man Tin, after work on the day of the accident.
He described her as a joyful woman.
“She was easy-going and optimistic. She enjoyed playing mahjong with her friends and loved buying clothes,” said Chow.
A Citybus spokeswoman said the company had contacted the families of killed victims on Saturday and that an undisclosed consolation payment would be given to the affected families.
