30 people injured in crash involving coach and light rail train in Hong Kong town
- The crash took place near Nai Wai light rail station on Castle Peak Road in Hung Shui Kiu
- Police say most the injured were light rail passengers
Two drivers and 28 passengers were mildly injured after a coach and a light rail train collided in Hung Shui Kiu in the New Territories on the eve of Lunar New Year.
Residents in the area were affected by traffic slowdowns, as many were making their way back home for family gatherings.
The crash took place at 5.07pm on Monday near Nai Wai light rail station on Castle Peak Road.
At the time of the accident, the coach was empty, while the train was carrying at least 28 passengers.
Photos from the scene showed the train hit the 66-seat coach on its right-hand side, leaving shattered glass from the coach’s window on the ground.
A sign on the coach indicated it served a route from Wan Chai to a residential block in Tuen Mun, and that it belonged to Great Leader Bus.
Speaking at 7.45pm, inspector Li Man-yau of the New Territories North Traffic Headquarters accident investigation team said all the injured were conscious when they were sent to three hospitals in the area.
Thirteen female and 15 male passengers, aged 8 to 76, suffered light injuries.
“We will investigate whether the drivers failed to observe traffic lights, the mechanical conditions of the vehicles and the mental states of the drivers,” Li said.
The officer also said the 60 year-old coach driver had been working since 6.45am and had passed a breathalyser test.
No arrests have so far been made.
An MTR Corp representative said the firm will cooperate fully with the police investigation.
“After reviewing security camera footage on the light rail, we can see that the driver was following a traffic light to advance [the train],” he said.
He also said that the accident had caused serious damage to overhead electrical cables and the metal supports, which would take at least five hours to repair.
According to the MTR Corp, light rail routes 610, 614, 615 and 751 in each direction were diverted due to the incident and would not stop between Lam Tei and Hung Shui Kiu stations.
A free shuttle bus service was running between Siu Hong and Yuen Long, and between Siu Hong and Tin Shui Wai, to carry affected passengers, the MTR Corp representative said.
Normal services resumed at 11pm.
