A kiss on the cheek from the ferry company director helped brighten the day for an elderly victim of Friday's ferry accident. Tong Siu-ying, who received four stitches on her head and is still suffering from head and neck pain as a result of the crash, said she was very happy that First Ferry's director and general manager, John Hui Chiu-yin, visited her yesterday. 'I am very happy, even happier than seeing my own children on Mother's Day,' the 78-year-old vegetable vendor said. Her smile grew wider when Mr Hui responded by wishing her 'Happy Mother's Day' and kissed her on the cheek. But the touching scene turned into one of embarrassment for Mr Hui, when photographers - who had to be split into three teams because of lack of space in Ms Tong's small public flat - asked Mr Hui to repeat the kiss over and over again for the cameras. Mr Hui presented Ms Tong with gifts of a fruit basket, a bouquet of carnations and $1,000 during the visit to the flat in Ngan Wan Estate in Mui Wo at about 11am. He even massaged Ms Tong's neck for a few minutes. Ms Tong was injured when she was thrown off her seat and struck her head on a cupboard. Apart from the gifts, First Ferry has not awarded Ms Tong any compensation, nor does she plan to seek any. 'It was an accident. It was no one's fault but my bad luck. The captain's poor as well, he has to pay rent and he has to support his children. I am not going to sue him.' Asked if she would like a lifelong pass on all First Ferry routes, she first said she had not thought about it, but later said she 'would be very happy if they recognise me when I take ferries in the future'. Mr Hui, however, said he had not considered the option, but pledged to do what he could to assist Ms Tong with her medical bills.
