Helicopter sent for injured Hong Kong hiker after 5-metre fall down cliff face on MacLehose Trail in Sai Kung
- Man suffers leg fracture and injury to forehead
A government helicopter was deployed to rescue an injured hiker in a Hong Kong country park on Wednesday after he fell five metres down a cliff face.
The 58-year-old man was among a group of five men and three women trekking the MacLehose Trail near Sai Kung in Ma On Shan Country Park.
Police said the hikers had set off from Sha Kok Mei Tsuen at about 9am. Emergency personnel received a call from one of the group at about 12.20pm.
“Investigations showed the man fell five metres,” a police spokeswoman said.
The victim suffered a leg fracture and injuries to his forehead. The Fire Services Department said he had lost his footing.
A Government Flying Service helicopter was sent out soon after 1.30pm, according to police.
The man had been located and airlifted to North Lantau Hospital in Tung Chung by about half an hour later. He was conscious when found.
The other seven hikers continued their journey. Police said they had found nothing suspicious.
In September a 32-year-old man died after falling down a slope in Lantau North Country Park. Police said he had also lost his footing. He was airlifted unconscious to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan where he was declared dead.
According to the fire department, six hikers died and 57 were injured in the first six months of 2018. The department carried out 130 mountain rescues in the period.
In 2017 the number of hiking deaths rose to 15 from seven the year before. But the number of injuries fell to 175 from 269 in 2016.
Figures show the department mounted 340 mountain rescue operations in 2017, and 357 in 2016.
Hikers are encouraged by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to plan carefully and choose a regularly maintained path with clear signs.
“Don’t venture onto unmaintained paths or take short-cuts. Exploring new routes will put you in danger or get you lost,” the department says on its website.
Cold and dry weather in winter increased the risk of hypothermia and hill fires, it added.