19 hurt as Hong Kong double-decker bus ploughs into truck on Lantau highway
Bus driver arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, as three passengers in serious condition in hospital
Nineteen people were hurt after a double-decker bus crashed into the rear of a stationary truck on a Hong Kong motorway before daybreak on Thursday, with three of the injured in serious condition.
The bus driver, 57, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm. He was released on police bail pending further investigation. Police said he must report back next month.
The N31 overnight route vehicle, operated by Long Win Bus Company, was travelling on North Lantau Highway from the airport to Kowloon when it slammed into a truck parked by the roadside near Yam O.
The rear end of the truck tore through the front of the bus, shattering the windscreens on both decks.
Police were alerted at 5.01am and seven ambulances were deployed to the scene.
The drivers of both vehicles were among the 14 men and five women wounded.
Two injured male passengers from the bus were unconscious while being carried into an ambulance, police said. The pair were initially listed in Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung as critical, although that later changed to serious.
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By 4pm, another injured male passenger was in serious condition in North Lantau Hospital.
Police said the rest of the injured were taken conscious to North Lantau Hospital, Cartias medical Centre and Yan Chai Hospital. Twelve people – nine men and three women – were in stable condition while the other four were treated and discharged.
Another four passengers suffered only minor injuries and were bandaged at the scene. They did not require hospital treatment.
Police said the two drivers, aged 57 and 60, had passed a breathalyser test.
Officers from the New Territories South traffic unit were handling the case.
Long Win was established in 1996 and provides services on 29 routes connecting the airport and North Lantau to the New Territories.
As of the end of March this year, the company was operating 242 buses.
