Small models of vessels aimed at aiding ferry collision investigation
Police will build small replicas of the boats to help survivors better recall what happened
Police will build scale models of the two vessels that collided off Lamma last week to help survivors recall the accident during a possible inquest in the future.
Three-dimensional computer diagrams of the Lamma IV, owned by Hongkong Electric, and Sea Smooth, owned by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings, might also be made by the Marine Department.
Police are investigating any criminal liability issues arising from the accident - which claimed 39 lives and injured more than 100 - while the Marine Department is probing the cause of the collision. "Some witnesses could have confused memories … such as whether they sat in row three or four. The models can help them remember better," a government source said.
Similar to-scale models of a Hong Thai Travel Services tour bus and Manila's Rizal Park were made by the police for the inquest last year into the 2010 Manila hostage killings, in which seven Hong Kong tourists and their guide died.
It is understood police have obtained footage from CCTV cameras located at points where the ships passed.
So far about 40 witnesses have come forward, either by approaching the police or calling a hotline, to provide oral evidence. But no one has offered photographs or video clips showing how the accident unfolded.