Hong Kong truck driver killed in industrial accident at timber factory
- Incident took place at site on Man Kam To Road in New Territories, when container carrying 150 wooden poles ‘fell from a height of three to four metres’
- Victim certified dead at scene by paramedics; Labour Department notified of case
A Hong Kong truck driver was fatally struck on the head after a container carrying 150 wooden poles fell down at a timber factory on Thursday.
Labour minister Chris Sun Yuk-han said the government was “highly concerned” about the case and carry out a thorough investigation.
The industrial accident took place at the factory on Man Kam To Road in the Ta Kwu Ling area of the New Territories soon after midday, according to police. The location is about 1km (0.62 miles) away from the Man Kam To border checkpoint.
A source familiar with the case said the 43-year-old man was unloading a container carrying 150 wooden poles from his truck at the time of the incident.
“Preliminary investigation suggested the container carrying 150 wooden poles tumbled down from a height of three to four metres [9.8 to 13.1 feet] while being lifted,” the insider said.
Each pole was about three metres in length.
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A police spokeswoman said the victim was hit in the head during the incident and certified dead at the scene by paramedics.
According to the force, the case has been classified as an industrial accident. The Labour Department has been notified, it added.
Sun, the labour secretary, noted that there were clear safety guidelines on lifting operations.
“The government will investigate if the guidelines were followed, reasons for the incident, and if anyone needs to be held liable, we will launch a thorough investigation and pursue criminal liability in accordance with the law,” he said.
