Second Hong Kong hiker dies in a week as woman, 45, is swept off rocks in Sai Kung
A second Hong Kong hiker has died in a week after a woman fell into the sea as she climbed a cliff near a popular beauty spot in Sai Kung on Sunday.
A second Hong Kong hiker has died in a week after a woman fell into the sea as she climbed a cliff near a popular beauty spot on Sunday.
Lau Yin, 45, was pulled into the sea by waves while climbing rocks along the coast at Yin Tsz Ngam near Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung Country Park.
Lau reportedly put on gloves and began climbing with her back turned to the water when she was washed away by a sudden wave at around 2.20pm.
Three other hikers accompanying Lau waived a red flag for help and tried to call police over the phone. But the call failed due to poor network connection.
Some boats in the area noticed the group but could not approach due to choppy waters. One boat crew instead called police for help.
Lau was later pulled from the water by a marine police boat and then airlifted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan.
First aid efforts by paramedics along the way failed to revive Lau. She was later certified dead at the hospital.
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Lau’s son told local media that his mother, a Putonghua teacher, was a regular hiker. He said she had brought safety equipment with her and told him where she was going before setting off.
Lau’s ex-husband told Apple Daily that he had been worried about her safety for years.
“When she told me a few months ago she was going to climb cliffs with her friends, I felt uneasy … I felt something bad might happen,” he said.
He added that Lau had hiked a lot on the mainland, including on high peaks such as the 3,000-metre high Mount Emei in Sichuan province, before moving to Hong Kong around the year 2000.
He said she started hiking in Hong Kong’s countryside, almost on a weekly basis, after meeting other hikers on the internet.
Lau's death was the second of a hiker in a week.
Retired businessman Cheung Wing-on, 60, died after falling some 60 metres on Lantau Island while trying to rescue another walker on January 18.
Cheung slipped and fell to his death as he tried to help a hiker who was stranded 30 metres down a cliff along the Nei Shan Stream. The route is listed as one of the most difficult of the city’s “stream” hikes and there had been at least two previous fatalities along it.
“The single best way to prevent accidents is to plan your hiking trips carefully, make adequate preparations and ensure all group members know how to enjoy safe hiking,” the website says.
“During hikes, use sound judgement and acquired skills, and work closely with your companions, for maximum safety.
“Very few hiking accidents are the result of ‘bad luck’. Most result from poor judgment, ignoring the land or weather conditions, taking ‘shortcuts, behaving hastily, or taking risks.”
