Assault charges dropped against middle-aged pair over fight on crowded Hong Kong train that resulted in one losing tip of thumb and facial injuries on other
- Prosecutors withdraw charges against clerk Yu Wai-keung, 54, and security guard Tong Kang-choi, 64
- Pair agree to keep the peace in the next 12 months
Two middle-aged men in Hong Kong who had a fight on a crowded train that left one with part of his thumb bitten off and the other with facial injuries had their assault charges dropped on Tuesday.
Prosecutors withdrew charges against clerk Yu Wai-keung, 54, and security guard Tong Kang-choi, 64, after the pair agreed to keep the peace in the next 12 months, or pay HK$1,000 (US$128) for breaching a bind-over order.
West Kowloon Court heard the two men clashed on a Central-bound train during rush hour at about 8.45am on June 21 last year after Tong got on at Prince Edward station and found Yu blocking his way.
At the time, Yu had been standing at the door as he was going to get off at the next station, Mong Kok.
Dissatisfied, Tong complained about Yu’s position and a fight ensued.
Other passengers separated the brawlers after Yu bit off the tip of Tong’s left thumb.
The train operator also sent workers to search for the missing thumb tip, with staff boarding the train in Jordan. They located the tip when the train arrived in Central, eight minutes from Jordan.
The recovered thumb tip was put in an ice bag before being handed to paramedics.
Subsequent medical examinations found Tong suffered a crush injury with the loss of the distal part of his left thumb, which also had a fracture, while Yu had right eye and facial injuries caused by finger insertion and scratching.
Yu later admitted he bit Tong.
Tong underwent reattachment surgery but his thumb remained bandaged on Tuesday.
Magistrate Cheung Kit-yee also ordered both men to each pay HK$300 in court costs.
