Hong Kong police warn of almost 10 per cent fatality rate for solo hikers who needed rescue, urge residents to install GPS app for easier tracking
- Fatality rate for hikers accompanied by other people much lower at 4 per cent, chief inspector says
- Hiking accidents have become more common in recent years, with more Hongkongers heading outdoors
Nearly 10 per cent of solo hikers who needed rescuing ended up dying, Hong Kong police have warned, urging residents to install a GPS app to make tracking easier during accidents.
The force and fire services officials on Saturday urged residents to refrain from going on trails alone and posing for selfies at risky spots, as they rolled out the Project Hill Pal campaign to raise awareness about the importance of hiking with other people.
Chief Inspector Fu Chun-yip, of Kowloon East Regional Headquarters, said from September last year to August authorities mounted 256 hiking-related rescue operations, of which about 65 cases, or 25 per cent, involved solo climbers.
About 90 per cent of the accidents occurred in Sai Kung, while the rest were in Tseung Kwan O or Wong Tai Sin, he said, adding most cases happened during the summer.
“Among the lone hikers, the fatality rate was close to 10 per cent while for those accompanied by other people, the fatality rate was lower than 4 per cent,” he said.
“The fatality rate for lone hikers is higher because when they had accidents, there was a lapse in time before their families discovered they were missing and reported it to the police, resulting in delays in the rescue operations.”
Hiking accidents have become more common in recent years, with more Hongkongers heading outdoors to get some exercise and fresh air during the coronavirus pandemic. But many hikers who flocked to the city’s popular outdoor trails were unprepared and unaware of hazards as they ventured in search of selfies in dangerous spots, resulting in unnecessary tragedies.