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An 85-year-old taxi driver appeared in Eastern Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday accused of dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm after his vehicle lost control when heading down from Fortress Hill Sunday and knocked over three women as they headed across a busy pedestrian crossing.
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The driver, Ngai Choi-nung, was not required to enter a plea, while Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui Yee-mei adjourned the case to May 16 pending further police investigation.
Ngai was granted a HK$5,000 cash bail and was ordered to surrender his travel documents. He was not allowed to leave the city and must report to the police every week.
Given the seriousness of the case and considering the accused’s age, Chui said Ngai must also surrender his driver’s license to protect other road users.
The incident that happened two days ago saw Ngai appear to lose control of his vehicle when heading down from Fortress Hill, running a red light and knocking over the three women on the crossing that spans Fortress Hill Road, where it arrives at King's Road.
The taxi continued for about 10 meters before crashing through a traffic light post and metal guardrails near tram tracks.
Two of the three injured women - a 59-year-old local woman and a 48-year-old South Asian, Singh - fell unconscious after suffering head injuries. Both were in critical condition in hospital as of Sunday night.
The third woman, a foreign national aged 48, sustained arm injuries and was also in hospital in a serious condition.
Ngai and his single passenger, a 43-year-old mainland man, Zhuang, were also hurt.
The three women and Zhuang were taken to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan and Ngai to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai.
