Hong Kong tree trimmer killed after crane gives way, sending gondola crashing onto truck 5 metres below
- Tsang Choi-yu, 55, and a colleague were clearing trees in Western district when the gondola suddenly dropped, crashing into the back of the vehicle
- She was declared dead an hour later at Queen Mary Hospital, while her colleague suffered an injury to his waist area
A Hong Kong tree trimmer was killed on Wednesday when the extendable arm of a crane truck suddenly gave way, dropping the gondola – in which she and a colleague were working – five metres and slamming it into the back of the vehicle.
Tsang Choi-yu, 55, and a 46-year-old colleague – who suffered an injury to his waist area – were clearing branches for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department along Water Street in the city’s Western district at the time of the accident.
The gondola was about eight metres above ground when it dropped just after 9.30am, according to police, who added that initial investigation showed it had struck a metal stand on the back of the truck.
“The female worker was found unconscious at the scene and her colleague complained of pain in the waist area,” a police spokesman said.
The pair were taken to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, where Tsang was certified dead at about 10.30am.
Police have classified the case as an industrial accident and informed the Labour Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.