A night-shift taxi driver who earned as little as $30 a day despite working 12-hour shifts during the Sars crisis committed suicide in his cab yesterday.
Cheung Kuen-choi, 40, was found in his taxi by a guard off Ko Chiu Road, near Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery in Yau Tong, at 9.30am.
Charcoal ashes were found in the back passenger seat, as well as suicide notes to his elder sister and the owner of the taxi.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances. An account book found inside the cab revealed his daily business had been badly hit by the economic slump and Sars, a source said. 'After deducting rental and petrol costs, he had recently earned as little as $30 after a 12-hour shift for several consecutive days,' the source said.
It is understood that Cheung, who had worked as a night-shift taxi driver for more than 10 years, had been separated from his wife and lived alone in Shekkipmei.
The owner of the cab, who refused to give his name, said he knew Cheung had had a hard time and had tried his best to help him.
