Survivor too scared to ride red buses
A man who survived the crash involving two minibuses in North Point in October last year said he had not dared board any red minibuses since that accident.
Mak Wing-kang, 56, was a passenger of the minibus driven by Poon Wing-kay on October 22 last year. He was on his way to Sai Ying Pun for a morning hike.
He suffered minor injuries when the minibus hit a taxi after colliding with another minibus.
Speaking after yesterday's court verdict on the accident, Mr Mak - a taxi driver with 30 years of driving experience - said he had avoided red minibuses since the hair-raising experience.
He said the drivers of the two minibuses should accept the judge's verdict and punishment for their conduct.
Mr Mak had testified in the trial that Poon had been driving the minibus as if there were no traffic lights and had run through several red lights in King's Road.
He stressed yesterday that minibus drivers must recognise the importance of looking after the safety of their passengers, despite the heavy pressure on them to bring in as much revenue as possible during their shifts.
The installation of speed alarms and passenger seat belts in minibuses was a positive step to improve safety for passengers, Mr Mak said.
But he added that minibus drivers should also realise they have to drive in a 'responsible manner'.
'[Minibus drivers] must remember their top priority is to ensure the safety of their passengers in spite of pressure to rake in as much revenue as possible.'
