Police probe vandalism to memorial plaque for dead air service crewmen

Police are investigating after pro-democracy messages were daubed on a memorial to two Government Flying Service crewmen who died on duty in 2003.

The head of the service, Captain Michael Chan Chi-pui, confirmed staff removed red Chinese characters from the metal plaque at Pak Kung Au mountain pass on Lantau Island after reporting the matter to police. The phrases, "I want real universal suffrage" and, "689, step down" - a reference to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying - appeared on Wednesday.

It is not known whether those responsible for desecrating the memorial are Occupy Central supporters and it is unclear why the monument was targeted. The service provides aerial support for the police and was involved in removing a pro-Occupy banner from Lion Rock last month.

The plaque honours pilot Peter Pang Fu-kwok, 34, and crewman Dickson Chan Man-tik, 31, whose helicopter crashed close to the pass while heading to airlift three patients from Cheung Chau on August 26, 2003.

The Lantau district crime squad is investigating the case as criminal damage.