Hong Kong swimmer hit by speedboat propeller suffers injuries to head, limbs
- The 68-year-old man was swimming about 300 metres from Deep Water Bay Beach in Aberdeen when he was hit by the boat
- Police are currently looking for the boat and its driver, who may face a charge of endangering the safety of others at sea, according to a source
A 68-year-old swimmer suffered injuries to his arm, legs and head when he was hit by the propeller of a speedboat off a Hong Kong beach on Wednesday, sparking a citywide search for the vessel and its driver.
“A preliminary investigation showed the victim was hit by a white speedboat about 300 metres off the beach,” a police source said.
“One of his friends heard him screaming for help and then found the speedboat speeding away.”
Lee was put onto a windsurfing board and towed by another boat to the nearby Seaview Promenade.
A police spokeswoman said Lee was injured on the left elbow, both legs and the forehead, but was conscious when taken to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam for treatment.
The source said police carried out a search of the area, but found no trace of the speedboat. He said it was not known how many people were aboard the vessel at the time.
Elderly man drowns at Hong Kong beach where lifeguard services had been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic
“It is possible those on board the speedboat might not be aware it hit the victim,” he said.
According to the source, the boat’s driver could face a charge of endangering the safety of others at sea, which carries a maximum penalty of four years in jail and a HK$200,000 (US$25,765) fine.
Detectives from the marine police regional crime unit are handling the case.
