A Hong Kong man died yesterday on a diving trip with friends off Wailingding Island in mainland waters.
Chan Sik-poon, 48, set off with eight friends after they hired a boat in Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, at 8.30am. The accident happened about an hour after they arrived off Wailingding Island, about 16km south of Lantau Island, at 10am. The location is a favourite spot for line and spear fishing.
Chan was under the water and in full diving gear at the time of the incident, police said. 'The man's diving shoes came loose under water. He developed a problem after his [diving] partner failed to help him put on the shoes,' a police source said, adding that the cause of the death was still being investigated. 'His partner and friends then helped him resurface and got him on the boat.'
Heading back to Hong Kong, they called a woman friend, who called police at 11.50am.
Chan was conscious at first but lost consciousness before the boat arrived at a Cheung Chau pier at 12.30pm. He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead at 1pm. Police said they had found no suspicious circumstances.
Chan lived with his family in Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Lai Chi Kok.