Japanese trail runner found after search party launched on Hong Kong’s tallest mountain
Police and fire officers rescued more than 100 people who were trapped in Tai Mo Shan on Sunday
A search party was launched on Hong Kong’s highest mountain for a Japanese trail runner who went missing during a 100km race in Sunday’s frosty conditions. The man was later found.
Hundreds of competitors had taken part in the run.
The search kicked off in Tai Mo Shan before noon after the race organiser called the police, according to the Fire Services Department.
“A Japanese competitor has not been accounted for. We are still looking for him,” a police officer said at 1.30pm.
It was understood that dozens of officers from police Tactical Unit and the fire department had been deployed.
“A search is underway in the section 8 of MacLehose Trail in Tai Mo Shan,” the fire department’s spokesman said.
“We are also seeking help from the Government Flying Service to see whether they can deploy a helicopter in the search.”
Hundreds of runners were still on the course at the time the race was abandoned before daybreak on Sunday.
A message on the organiser’s Facebook page at about 2.30pm read: “We are happy to report that all participants have now been located. The participant for whom a search was going to be mounted this morning has just picked up his drop-bag on his way to the airport. Thank you all for your prompt responses to our requests for information.”
Sunday was the city’s coldest day in nearly six decades, and the frigid and windy weather attracted throngs of ‘frost chasers’ to Tai Mo Shan, the city’s highest mountain at 957 metres tall, to experience the rare freezing conditions.
The fire department received a lot of calls for help on Sunday morning as sub-zero temperatures left roads frozen and dangerous, trapping tens of frost chasers and runners on the peak. Police and fire officers rescued more than 100 people who were trapped in Tai Mo Shan and the operation ended around midnight.