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The hiking boom in Hong Kong has been matched by a rise in rescue operations. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong hiker, 60, dies after collapsing in Plover Cove Country Park

Middle-aged man had complained of feeling dizzy

A hiker died on Sunday after collapsing on a trail in Tai Po.

The 60-year-old man was walking with eight people close to Sheung Miu Tin near Wu Kau Tang in Plover Cove Country Park shortly before 3pm when he complained of feeling dizzy and lost consciousness.

The group had set out from Wu Kau Tang at 8.30am and planned to reach Hung Shek Mun.

His friends called for help and a search and rescue operation was launched. A Government Flying Service helicopter got to him by 4.20pm and he was taken unconscious to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan, where he was confirmed dead.

Other hikers in the group said the man had felt dizzy and investigators were trying to see if the dead man had been suffering health problems previously.

At least four other hikers have died this year and there were four fatalities in 2016.

A 60-year-old man with a history of heart problems collapsed on a hike in Clear Water Bay Country Park on Ching Ming Festival on April 4 . He was airlifted to hospital but later died.

On the same day, a 52-year-old woman suffered health problems on Dragon’s Back in Shek O Country Park. She was airlifted to hospital and stabilised after treatment.

And a 59-year-old hiker died after being found unconscious near the top of Lantau Peak on March 28.

Such incidents are being more frequent as rising numbers of people take up hiking.

Data from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department showed that country park visitors grew from 8.8 million in 1987 to 13.3 million in 2015/16.

The number of mountain rescues by the Fire Services Department increased from 138 in 2005 to 357 in 2016.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Hiker, 60, dies after collapsing in country park
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