The runaway truck that killed two people in Sai Kung district at the weekend was too heavy to be on the road, it was discovered yesterday.
Police vehicle inspectors said the piling machine that fell from the truck's trailer and crushed a car was too heavy for the vehicle to haul and could have led to the accident.
The maximum combined weight permitted for a vehicle of its type, a three-axle truck with a dual-axle trailer, is 24 tonnes to 38 tonnes, depending on axle spacing.
Police would not confirm reports the truck was as much as 20 per cent overweight but said it should not have been on the road carrying the piling machine.
Inspectors found no defects with the vehicle and its brakes were in working order.
The truck ran out of control on Hiram's Highway near Nam Wai at about 6.30pm on Sunday, killing Lo Lok-yin, 10, and his uncle, Chan Kai-wing, 44.
Two other passengers in the family's car remained in stable condition at United Christian Hospital last night.
