The scene of the crash: crossing Nathan Road safely has become a risky proposition in recent years

A 73-year-old died after a young motorbike rider smashed into him on Nathan Road Wednesday evening.

The 19-year-old rider, unnamed by police, was riding a petrol scooter south on Nathan Road at 8:55pm when he struck victim Mr Cheng near the junction with Hamilton Street.

Cheng suffered severe head injuries and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital semi-conscious. He was certified dead at 10:38pm.

Police said the rider was a Pakistani national and that he has been arrested for dangerous driving causing death.

Police also said they were looking into the possibility the victim had been “jaywalking”.

In 2021, two-thirds of pedestrians killed or seriously injured in Yau Tsim Mong district were over 60 and 45% were 70 or over. 100% of pedestrians killed in the district were over 60, the eldest being 94.

Crossing Nathan Road has become a more difficult and risky proposition in recent years: the stretch of Nathan Road between Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok has been gradually restricted for pedestrians, with at-grade crossings removed and replaced with bridges. There are often lengthy waits at the staggered signal crossings which remain.

Pedestrian schemes nearby have also been quashed.