‘Miracle’ survival of Hong Kong teenager highlights the risks of hiking
- The popularity of hiking in Hong Kong’s scenic hills soared during the pandemic. But with that came a surge in rescues and, sadly, in deaths
Good news is not easy to find these days, so a story with a happy ending is most welcome. Hong Kong breathed a sigh of relief last week when a 17-year-old schoolboy, missing in one of the city’s country parks for a week during a typhoon, was rescued. His mother described his safe return as “a miracle”.
Matthew Tsang Hin-chit, facing the pressure of preparing for university entrance exams, wandered into Ma On Shan Country Park in his school uniform at lunch time.
The full details of his disappearance are not clear. But it seems he felt unwell, got lost, and was trapped in bad weather as Typhoon Koina struck.
Tsang, from Diocesan Boys’ School in Mong Kok, appears to have survived by drinking stream water, eating leaves and wild fruit, and sheltering in bushes. He was airlifted to hospital in a stable condition. It is great to see him reunited with his family. Hopefully, the teenager will make a full and quick recovery.
The drama reminds us of the pressures faced by students, especially when studying for exams. And while this was no ordinary hike, it also highlights the risks of going for a walk in one of the city’s 24 country parks.
A 16-year-old was also rescued, in Lion Rock Country Park, while trying to walk home during the typhoon. Sadly, a 57-year-old, who went missing while hiking alone in Ma On Shan, was not so fortunate. His body was found last month, 20 days after he set off.
The popularity of hiking in Hong Kong’s scenic hills soared during the pandemic as people sought to escape urban areas and find solace in the country parks’ open spaces.
Many of those stomping along trails and navigating steep slopes were novices. Some were unprepared for the dangers.
There were more than 1,000 hiking-related searches last year, a leap from the less than 200 in 2019, with 20 hiking deaths, up from 14 in 2021 when more than 600 were injured.
The rescue operations place a significant drain on resources and potentially place those searching at risk.
The hunt for Tsang was conducted on a large scale. It involved more than 120 firefighters, 28 fire engines, nine ambulances, 50 Civil Aid Service workers, 24 paramedics, 100 police officers and a search and rescue dog. Drones, some playing his favourite music, and artificial intelligence were used to narrow the field of the search, which covered an area of 10 sq km.
It was heartwarming to see volunteers, including alumni of his school, parents of Tsang’s school friends, and other residents joining the effort. It was very much in keeping with the Hong Kong spirit.
But those venturing out into the wilds of Hong Kong, easily accessible and close to urban areas, need to exercise caution.
I confess that I did not always follow this advice when hiking in the country parks. While I usually kept to familiar routes and trails, I tended to walk on my own. Sometimes I would scramble up steep, slippery slopes, or venture off the beaten track.
Last year, the police and fire services launched a Project Hill Pal campaign to encourage hikers to walk with a friend. A study revealed almost 10 per cent of lone walkers who needed rescuing died, compared with less than 4 per cent of those who hiked with friends. Government apps are also available to hikers, to make it easier for them to be found should they get into trouble.
The guidance should be familiar to anyone setting out on a hike. Pick a walk suitable for your level of fitness, take food and plenty of water, protect yourself from the sun, check the weather forecast, and do not venture into risky spots in a bid to take a spectacular selfie.
A walk in a country park is one of the best ways to enjoy Hong Kong. If undertaken with care, it is good for both physical and mental health.
But hikers must be aware of the risks and ensure they are safe rather than sorry.
