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HKU council controversy
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HKU council member Professor Lo Chung-mau, who fell down during a chaotic Hong Kong University council meeting, meet the press at the Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam. Photo: Sam Tsang

Update | HKU professor accused of ‘diving’ leaves hospital on a walking stick and may need knee surgery, doctor says

A University of Hong Kong council member who collapsed on Tuesday night when students stormed the body’s meeting may need surgery on his twice-injured knee, a doctor said today.

A University of Hong Kong council member who collapsed on Tuesday night when students stormed the body’s meeting may need surgery on his twice-injured knee, a doctor said today.

Medical professor Lo Chung-mau, whose fall triggered online ridicule in memes comparing him to “diving” soccer players, left Queen Mary Hospital this afternoon using a walking stick.

Dr Frankie Leung Ka-li, of the hospital’s department of orthopaedics and traumatology, said there was a visible bruise and skin abrasion on Lo’s right knee when he arrived for treatment on Tuesday. He said the injury swelled up gradually.

“It is absolutely reasonable that he fell because of the pain after being hit,” said Leung, commenting on Lo’s injury after gaining his consent.

HKU council member Professor Lo Chung-mau left Queen Mary Hospital this afternoon using a walking stick. Photo: Sam Tsang
Lo, said his right knee underwent surgery two years ago after having suffering a comminuted fracture when playing soccer and required internal fixation with stainless steel.

Leung said Lo’s soft tissue, tendon and meniscus in the knee were hurt on Tuesday and that he would study further if Lo needs further surgery. He said it would take Lo one to two months to recover.

READ MORE: ‘It’s an insult’: HKU professor denies 'diving like a cheating soccer player' when students stormed council meeting

Earlier, Lo told Commercial Radio he did not know who or what hit his right knee during the chaos, leading him to fall to the floor.

“I never said it was students who caused this,” he said. “There were students, reporters, council members and security guards at the scene. I couldn’t see who or what bumped into me.”

He said during the chaos, he felt a sudden pain in the knee as if someone had kicked him there. But he said later when thinking back, he could not decide if his once-injured knee was hit by people or objects.

But he said he could see people blocking first-aid officers from rushing him to an ambulance and he felt a water bottle was thrown at him during the incident.

Regarding the “diving” accusation after a video clip of the incident showed him falling in a straight angle, he said: “If people are convinced that I was diving, no matter how I fell, in which direction, they will say I was diving.”

The students stormed the meeting in protest at the delayed appointment of the university’s former law dean Johannes Chan Man-mun to the post of pro-vice-chancellor.

Since Chan’s candidacy was revealed, pro-Beijing newspapers have criticised him for his working relationship with HKU law academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, who co-founded the Occupy Central campaign.

The HKU council has voted to postpone Chan’s appointment until a more senior position is filled.

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