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Danny Mok

A tower crane collapsed at a construction site for a public housing project in Hong Kong’s Kwai Chung on Thursday afternoon, killing the operator and damaging a truck.
The main contractor involved, Woon Lee Construction, was previously fined by authorities over two fatal incidents at its sites in 2009 and 2011.
The accident occurred at 4.27pm at the construction site for the public housing project Tai Wo Hau Road phase two on a slope opposite Pik Kwai House at Kwai Chung Estate.
The 62-year-old male operator, who fell with a 45-metre (148-foot) section of the crane onto the slope, was freed from the mangled cabin with severe head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said a truck on the ground was struck by mud flying down, shattering its windows.
Firefighters searched the area and found no other victims.
Fay Siu Sin‑man, chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, said the worker had more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry.
She said the collapsed crane had a cabin where the operator sat. The crane underwent weekly inspections, with the latest check completed in the morning.

It had been in service at the site for about two years, and for more than three years in total including previous projects. Under Housing Department standards, tower cranes could be used for up to five years, she said.
Siu said the break in the crane’s support structure appeared clean, suggesting the core of the frame had snapped.
“The loophole must be addressed, for example by using technology to detect and examine structural integrity, to prevent similar accidents in the long run,” she said.
The crane operator had been working at the site for two years.
Max Wong Chi-chung, the Housing Department’s assistant director for project, said the crane was moving a metal structure when it collapsed.
“The Housing Department will follow up on the incident seriously and, based on the investigation results, take appropriate action against the contractor,” he said.
The department had suspended all work at the site and met with the company to demand a detailed investigation report, Wong said.
When asked why the crane collapsed despite having been checked, he said an investigation was ongoing.
The Labour Department said it would investigate and if any violations were found, prosecutions would be pursued. A temporary suspension notice has already been issued to the contractor, halting the use of cranes.
According to the Housing Authority’s website, the contractor for the project is Woon Lee Construction.
An employee contacted by the South China Morning Post said he had “nothing to say” about the fatal accident.
The SCMP has reached out to the company’s parent firm, CNQC International Holdings, based in Kowloon Bay.
Woon Lee Construction has previously been fined by authorities over two fatal incidents at its sites.
In June 2011, a worker died after falling from the edge of a spectator stand while carrying out ceiling repair work at an indoor recreation centre in Tai Wai.
In May 2009, a cleaner was killed when a metal gate collapsed at a sheltered workshop in Hung Hom.


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Resce workers at the construction site in Kwai Chung. Photo: Sam Tsang

The accident occurred at the construction site for a public housing project on a slope opposite Pik Kwai House at Kwai Chung Estate. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Main contractor involved, Woon Lee Construction, was fined by authorities over two fatal incidents in 2009 and 2011


Main contractor involved, Woon Lee Construction, was fined by authorities over two fatal incidents in 2009 and 2011.


Hong Kong society

Hong Kong rescue services

Operator killed as tower crane collapses at Hong Kong construction site

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Main contractor involved, Woon Lee Construction, was fined by authorities over two fatal incidents in 2009 and 2011

Main contractor involved, Woon Lee Construction, was fined by authorities over two fatal incidents in 2009 and 2011