Benjamin Restrepo, on a bicycle, stood no chance against the swerving fire engine

A swerving fire truck crushed an American man to death this afternoon (6 December), with shocking footage showing the victim, who was on a bicycle, macerated between the truck and a parked car.

Police investigate the scene

Benjamin Restrepo, 60, was riding along Hiram’s Highway at 1.45pm when the driver of the fire engine appeared to have lost control. Footage shows the truck swerved suddenly left, crushing Restrepo and trapping him under the truck.

Emergency services freed the man and rushed him to Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where he died 90 minutes later.

Police arrested the driver of the fire engine, Mr Yiu, 54, for dangerous driving causing death. According to police, Yiu is still being held as at 11.30pm Sunday night. The Fire Services Department said it has made efforts to contact the family of the deceased, “hoping to render all possible assistance”.

Colombian-born Restrepo was a global adventurer who had reportedly been in Hong Kong since early 2020. He recently cycled through Russia, China and Tibet, according to his fans.