Since losing an arm in a car accident, this Hong Kong man has learned to play badminton, taken up cycling and run a triathlon – next step is playing the violin

Shum Hang-fu lost the lower half of his arm in an accident 15 years ago, but he never let that stop him from achieving one of his childhood dreams.

Always envious of good musicians, the 37-year-old can now count himself among their number.

A week after receiving a custom-built artificial limb from a team from Chinese University and Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, he is playing his favourite Canto-pop classic Under the Lion Rock and music by Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi on the violin.

It is quite an achievement for Shum, who had not picked up any musical instrument before his accident, and marks serious progress from several years ago, when the sound he made with the violin – using an earlier prosthetic – was comparable to the noise of a “chicken being slaughtered”.

Shum’s accident happened while he was working as a delivery man. The van he was travelling in rear-ended another car on a Yuen Long highway, and the passenger door crushed his arm.

The damage was so severe that doctors had no choice but to amputate. And that was a serious blow to one of Shum’s long-term ambitions.

“Ever since I was young I have been very envious of those who know music,” said Shum, who is now married with a young daughter and working as an activity assistant.