Hong Kong judge dies en route to hospital after collapsing at home
Magistrate Dr Eric Cheung Kwan-ming was found unconscious by his 80-year-old mother
A Kowloon City magistrate hailed as meticulous in court but “cheerful” as a friend collapsed at his Cheung Sha Wan home on Sunday and died before reaching a hospital.
Magistrate Dr Eric Cheung Kwan-ming, 44, was found unconscious by his 80-year-old mother in his residence at Banyan Garden tower 7 on Lai Chi Kok Road at about 9.15am, a police spokesman said, ruling out foul play.
A neighbour called an ambulance. Cheung was taken to Caritas Medical Centre but died before arrival.
Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li expressed deep sadness over Cheung’s death and offered his deepest condolences to his family, a Judiciary spokesman said. “Dr Cheung will be greatly missed,” the department said.
A friend of Cheung, who preferred not to be named, described the magistrate’s passing as sudden. He said he never complained about any health problems.
The friend recalled the magistrate’s “cheerful” personality. “He is a very nice man,” said the friend, who met Cheung when the future magistrate was a trainee in the Justice Department.
Known for his penchant for food, Cheung became meticulous as a magistrate, someone who knew procedures and case law, the friend said.
