In Brief

Police chief sued over constable's fall off chair

A woman police constable has launched a lawsuit against the police commissioner, claiming damages for back injuries suffered at work. She alleged her superior ignored her pain and made her perform work that made it worse. Kwong Wing Sheung, 32, appeared in the Court of First Instance in a wheelchair and carrying a crutch. Ms Kwong said that in June 2002 she fell off a 'defective' chair at work. The fall left her 'temporarily paralysed' for 10 minutes. Ms Kwong was in hospital for 10 days and on sick leave for two months. Her doctor suggested she avoid heavy chores, but she said her superior assigned her to night patrol duty, which meant she had to carry heavy equipment. Ms Kwong's injuries worsened after the patrol, which lasted about four hours, and she was in great pain. The hearing continues today.

Underground blast sends drainage covers skyward

An underground gas explosion blew six drainage covers into the air and damaged two cars in Kowloon Bay. The explosion was triggered at 2pm when a worker in Wang Kee Street set fire to newspapers, Chan Yu-hoi of Kowloon Bay Fire Station said. A witness said the drainage covers reached a height of three storeys. More than 100 people were evacuated.

Body found with beer cans

A 29-year-old woman was found dead on Tung Wan Beach in Cheung Chau after a man called police at 7am saying he had found her lying unconscious next to empty beer cans.

Jury sequestered