Dead hiker’s three friends arrested over suspected murder
Kwok Wai-nok, 20, went on nighttime trip up Black Hill with suspects
The hunt for a missing hiker took a dark turn as police arrested three men on suspicion of killing 20-year-old Kwok Wai-nok.
The air-conditioning technician trainee was found dead on a hillside in Lam Tin on Monday morning, hours after he set out on a nighttime trip up Black Hill in Sai Kung with the three suspects.
Police have reclassified the case as murder. Detectives from Kowloon East regional crime unit are investigating.
According to the Fire Services Department, the victim was found on a hillside near Kwong Tin Estate, Lam Tin at about 8.30am. He was later certified dead by paramedics at the scene.
Kwok had been on a nighttime trip with the three suspects, starting from the Haven of Hope Hospital in Tseung Kwan O. They headed for Black Hill, where they planned to hold war games.
Earlier reports stated that the trio claimed Kwok had received a call at about 3.30am on Sunday, after they had reached the hilltop, and said he had to rush back. They said that he asked for the fastest way down and ended up taking a route he was not familiar with.
The suspects claimed to have called him 30 minutes later, but he did not answer, and his phone messaging app showed him as being offline.
Kwok did not return home in the morning, and his mother called police at noon.
Several government departments launched a joint search on Sunday night and set up a command centre at Lam Tin Park, overlooked by Black Hill.
Thirteen fire engines, four ambulances and a Government Flying Service helicopter were deployed in the overnight search.
