Hong Kong hiker in critical condition after fainting on hottest day of the year so far
Man was airlifted to hospital with suspected heatstroke after he fainted in Sai Kung on Sunday
A man suffered heatstroke and nine groups of hikers called for help as the mercury shot up to 34.5 degrees Celsius in Hong Kong on Sunday – the hottest day for the city so far this year.
The 47-year-old man fainted at around 2pm when he and his friends reached Sai Wan in Sai Kung along the Maclehose Trail, a police spokesman said.
The man was airlifted by helicopter to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan and was said to be in a critical condition.
Emergency services had received nine other requests from hikers calling for help from popular trails across the city as of 6pm on Sunday.
The Observatory recorded a temperature of 34.5 degrees in Tsim Sha Tsui, with the outlying Waglan Island seeing the highest mark of the day at 35.9 degrees.
The hot weather is forecast to continue until Wednesday, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 34 degrees. Conditions will then turn rainy and slightly cooler, the Observatory said.
From Thursday, it is expected to be humid with showers.