Hong Kong hiker dies, Singaporean teen discharged after 2 trail emergencies

At least two people were airlifted to hospital in the past two days after falling ill while hiking in Hong Kong, with a 17-year-old Singaporean girl discharged and the other dying.

The teenager was flown to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai on Saturday morning after vomiting and experiencing chills while hiking on Lion Rock, a 495-metre peak.

In a separate incident, a middle-aged man suddenly felt unwell and collapsed while hiking with a friend of a similar age near Ha Miu Tin, Wu Kau Tang, in Plover Cove Country Park, Tai Po, according to police on Sunday.

The Government Flying Service dispatched a helicopter to the scene and airlifted the man to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan for emergency treatment.

The man was unconscious when he was flown to hospital. He was certified dead at about 5pm after rescue efforts proved unsuccessful.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

As for the Singaporean hiker, the government said she was discharged at about 10am on Saturday. Earlier that day, she had been hiking with two other 17-year-old girls when she fell ill.

One of the hikers’ mothers called police for help at about 6.50am, and the Government Flying Service flew the teenager to hospital for treatment. She was conscious at the time of the rescue.

Apart from the Singaporean hiker, her companions were uninjured and returned home.

Despite it being late autumn, Hong Kong’s weather remained relatively warm and dry.

Sheung Shui recorded the city’s highest temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius (93.56 Fahrenheit) on Sunday, followed by Lau Fau Shan, Shek Kong and Ta Kwu Ling. Tai Po recorded a maximum temperature of 31.4 degrees, while relative humidity stood at 72 per cent.