Police searching for evidence after arresting the driver of a red minibus who knocked down and killed an elderly pedestrian on Kwai Hing St (photo: On.cc)

A 67-year-old man died crossing a road in Kwai Chung on 13 June after he was hit by a red minibus turning into the street. At 3.47pm on Saturday, the Mong Kok-bound red minibus was travelling along Hing Fong Road. As the driver turned left into Kwai Hong Road, the bus struck the pedestrian, trapping him underneath it. Paramedics rushed the victim, Mr Cheung, to Yan Chai Hospital, unconscious, but he succumbed to his injuries and died at 4.31pm.

Police arrested the driver, 72-year-old Mr Tong, for dangerous driving causing death and detained him for further enquiries.

Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway. Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1300 or 3661 1346.

The accident comes only days after a police media event warning of the dangers of elderly pedestrians being struck by large vehicles. In fact, almost 80% of elderly pedestrian deaths are from being hit by buses, vans or trucks, according to police figures. At the event, a forensic scientist expressed surprise at the lack of technology such as radar sensors on Hong Kong’s commercial vehicles.

Police held an event this week to highlght the dangers to elderly pedestrians: a qualitative study of the 34 elderly deaths last year found six major risk factors.