Search-and-rescue for two hikers leaves firefighter dead
A senior firefighter died on Wednesday after falling off a steep, slippery slope below a cliff while on a search-and-rescue mission for two lost hikers on Ma On Shan.
Principal fireman Yau Siuming, 50, was rushed to the Prince of Wales Hospital after the fall left him in a coma.
Yau reportedly lost his footing on a steep slope in foggy conditions at 5:21 am on Wednesday. Thick fog and low altitude prevented a helicopter reaching the site where Yau lay. Almost 11 hours later Yau’s colleagues carried him 2 kilometers downhill to a helicopter pick-up point. A helicopter took the unconscious Yau to hospital at about 4 pm.
Yau, married with a 6-yearold son, was stationed at Tin Sum Fire Station, Sha Tin. He had joined the operation to put out a four-alarm blaze which broke out at a mini-storage facility in Ngau Tau Kok in June last year. Two other firefighters died during the 108hour inferno, the longestburning fire in Hong Kong’s history.
Yau joined the force in 1987 and was promoted to senior firefighter in April 2010. He was awarded medals for longterm service in 2005 and 2012.
The hikers — a man, 32 and a woman, 30 — were reported at about 7 pm on Tuesday to have been trapped in Tiu Shau Ngam, inside the Ma On Shan Country Park. The hiking route is regarded as one of the most well-known but hardest trails in Hong Kong. The hikers, who had left the original hiking path, were picked up about 10 meters below the trail.
The man suffered a minor injury to his left hand; his hiking companion needed bandages on her head and chin. Both were sent to hospital after being trapped on the mountain
We should learn from their (firefighters’) sacrifices and dedication to safeguarding the city.” Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive candidate
for almost one day.
The Country and Marine Parks Authority do not recommend the hiking route, a rough track which is not obvious.
The Fire Services Department mobilized 19 trucks and 250 rescuers in the one-day rescue operation, along with two Government Flying Service helicopters. Rain made the operation in difficult terrain more difficult. Rescuers had to scout out a path in the woods using tools and hiked 4 km — on a route that included a nearvertical slope going up 60 degrees.
Director of Fire Services Li Kin-yat, in expressing his grief over the death of Yau, said assistance would be rendered to Yau’s family to help them through the difficult time. The department will also set up a funeral committee to arrange for Yau’s funeral.
Chief Executive hopeful Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, in a statement, said she was saddened by the death of Yau. In expressing her deepest respects and appreciation for Yau and for all the firefighters in the city, Lam said we should learn from their sacrifices and dedication to safeguarding the city.
Also contesting the top job are former financial secretary John Tsang Chun-wah and retired judge Woo Kwok-hing.