Hong Kong bus driver charged with careless driving after police accused him of endangering officers during protest operation
- New World First Bus employee was stopped on Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei on Sunday
- He was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and possessing an offensive weapon
A Hong Kong bus driver has been charged with careless driving in connection with an incident last weekend.
The 36-year-old New World First Bus employee was charged on Thursday, days after being arrested by officers who accused him of endangering police, and possessing an offensive weapon when they found a spanner in this bag.
According to police, the driver was stopped in the southbound lane of Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei on Sunday afternoon, as officers deployed to handle an anti-government protest in the area.
The man was accused of speeding and passing too close to officers, and detained on suspicion of dangerous driving. After his bag was searched at the police station, he was further arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
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He was released on bail the following day, and is expected to appear for mention at Kowloon City Court on Tuesday.
In a statement, the bus company said it would “continue to provide suitable help” to the driver.
The arrest had angered bus unions, who threatened a work-to-rule in response to the incident, but Lam Kam-biu, chairman of the New World First Bus Company Staff union, told a radio programme on Friday there were no immediate plans for industrial action.
”We only hope to provide all possible assistance to the driver at the moment,” he said. “We would consider further action after that, depending on the development of the incident.”
