“During her last moment before leaving, she used all of her strength to open her eyes and weakly look at her mother and me.

“Her heartbeat and breathing then gradually stopped and she left peacefully.

“You are daddy’s happiest and sweetest memories, but also the most profound and painful experience,” Chau wrote. “Daddy promised you that we will meet again in heaven. Daddy loves you forever, Tin-yu.”

The father said he was thankful for everyone who had supported and expressed concern for the little girl.

“Tin-yu must have felt all the love from the others,” he said.

Tin-yu was four years old when she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer, and had chemotherapy and radiotherapy which shrank the tumour to a size suitable for removal.

But during surgery at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam in May 2020, a blood transfusion was delayed by 48 minutes and her heart stopped beating for 52 minutes. She emerged from the operating theatre in a vegetative state.

Her parents have been living with depression ever since, while also caring for their 10-year-old son, who has autism.

The family launched a civil action against the Hospital Authority three years ago and the two sides reached a settlement in October.

Tin-yu’s father, who is also battling cancer, said a funeral committee had been formed and non-profit organisation Hong Kong Caring Power would be handling the matter.

He apologised for not replying to questions from the media, saying he had been exhausted since Sunday due to a high fever and Tin-yu’s death.

“I did not immediately announce the news [of Tin-yu’s death] and reply to questions from the media as I am too tired,” he said.

Albert Luk Wa-hung, a barrister who has assisted Chau in his approach to the police to try and get a criminal investigation into the tragedy, said they were awaiting an update from the force after Chau gave officers a statement last October.

Luk added they had provided information to police in support of an allegation of medical malpractice and an allegation that Tin-yu’s medical records had been tampered with, but police would need time to carry out an investigation.

He said Tin-yu’s death would not affect the investigation of the case, which the family hoped would centre on possible malpractice by healthcare professionals.

“We would like the public to know that medical malpractice is an important matter,” Luk added. “If someone is involved in medical malpractice, they should not tamper with the records, but should rather face the issue or find solutions.”

“We would like our healthcare system to be better, accountable and transparent,” he said.

Hong Kong girl Chau Tin-yu left in vegetative state 4 years ago dies

Police told the Post on Monday that the case had been referred to its Hong Kong Island regional crime unit for further investigation.

The force added it had maintained close contact with the hospital, which had also provided medical records to assist officers.

It said that police had already talked to some staff related to the case and would continue to speak to others.

The force added the case was classified as a “request for police investigation” at present.

Chau earlier revealed that his cancer index had already returned to a normal level after 55 sessions of radiotherapy and four of chemotherapy. But he would need three more sessions of chemotherapy and further checks.

The family said on Facebook last Thursday that Tin-yu had not been able to digest food for two days and had been vomiting.

Healthcare workers had to pump her stomach to remove milk and stopped feeding her. She had to rely on glucose solutions for nourishment instead.

Staff had also stopped drawing blood from her to avoid causing pain.