Ten injured after escalator chain-reaction fall in Sha Tin

A chain-reaction fall on an escalator at Kings Wing Plaza on Sunday afternoon left ten people injured, including nine women and one man. 

The incident occurred around 2.09pm today at Kings Wing Plaza on 1 On Kwan Street, when an elderly woman suddenly fell at the bottom of the escalator,  resulting in a domino effect that caused the trailing elderly passengers behind her to tumble. 

The escalator was put to a stop and several bystanders quickly came to assist, using tissues and sanitary pads to provide initial care to the injured and lifting them off the escalator. 

Some victims sustained head injuries and fractures, all of whom were sent to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment.

At the time of the incident, several groups were attending a charity banquet at a restaurant within the mall. A representative from the Caring Friends Association, which was also present, explained that it was scheduled to end at 3pm, but some elderly attendees were allowed to leave early.

The representative, surnamed Choi, rushed out of the restaurant after hearing a loud noise, and saw a pile of people on the escalator. He described the scene as chaotic, with some elderly individuals struggling to breathe under the weight of others

Police arrived to cordon off the area while waiting for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to investigate the incident before reopening the escalator.