Emergency rescues by helicopter crews after serious traffic accidents can be carried out on only five of Hong Kong's highways, the Government Flying Service said yesterday, after its first motorway rescue on New Year's Eve.
After four years of practising roadside rescues, the helicopter emergency team carried out its first real highway rescue on Monday when a government helicopter landed in the middle of a Yuen Long highway.
Fourteen minibus passengers and the driver were injured when the bus crashed into the side of a truck on San Tin Highway. The crash led to serious traffic jams, stopping ambulances reaching the scene quickly.
The 60-year-old minibus driver, who was badly injured, was airlifted to Tuen Mun Hospital in 10 minutes.
The passengers were treated at different hospitals and discharged.
The Fire Services Department and Government Flying Service have identified five roads where roadside rescues can be performed: San Tin Highway, North Lantau Expressway, Tuen Mun Road, the Island Eastern Corridor and Tsing Long Highway.
