Hong Kong police rescue family of 12 when speedboat capsizes off Tai Po
- The family members, including a nine-year-old boy, were pulled from the water about 100 metres from Sam Mun Tsai village
- A police source said it was believed the boat, which was taking them to dinner at a local fish farm, overturned after striking a buoy
A family of 12, including a nine-year-old boy, were rescued in the waters off Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Saturday night after the speed boat they were taking to dinner capsized.
Police said they received a rescue call at about 10pm that the eight-metre vessel had overturned, throwing the family overboard about 100 metres from Sam Mun Tsai village, known for its numerous fishing boats and outdoor eateries.
The family, with their pet dog in tow, were on their way to a fish farm for dinner when the boat was believed to have hit a buoy, according to a police source.
The entire group – 10 men, one woman and the boy – were conscious and largely unharmed when pulled from the water by police, though the family’s poodle was killed. The oldest in the party was 62 years old.
All but two suffered scratches or complained of feeling unwell and were sent to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for evaluation after being rescued.
Members of the city’s Fire Services Department also responded to the call. Police are now investigating the incident.
