Final farewell to tragic Tin-yu

Family and friends gathered to bid a final farewell to Chau Tin-yu, the eight-year-old girl who tragically passed away last month.

Tin-yu had been in a vegetative state for nearly four years following a suspected medical error.

Her cremation took place at the Cape Collinson Crematorium yesterday morning, marking the end of a difficult and painful journey.

In 2018, she was diagnosed with stage four Rhabdomyosarcoma and underwent surgery in 2020. Sadly, the botched procedure left her in a vegetative state. After much consideration, she was taken off life support on March 10.

Tin-yu's funeral was held on April 20 at the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour, where a dedicated funeral session was held from 5 pm to 8.30 pm.

This session provided an opportunity for the public to pay their respects to Tin-yu, offering their condolences to the grieving family during this difficult time.

Eddie Chau, Tin-yu's father, expressed a sense of calmness despite the immense loss of his daughter, saying: "We were mentally prepared for Tin-yu's condition to worsen as doctors had informed us of the possibility."

He acknowledged that her passing was a relief in the sense that she would no longer suffer.

Chau added a heartfelt sentiment, saying: "It is only a temporary farewell, we shall meet on yonder."

In the mourning hall, toys and flowers were placed in front of her photo frame as a tribute. Over 20 flower wreaths, including those from lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan and Yau Tsim Mong district councilor Chris Ip Ngo-tung, adorned the hall, symbolizing the community's support and sympathy.

Chau expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support. He was thankful for the encouragement he had received online over the past few years and expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their presence.

However, Chau expressed disappointment that no officials from the Hospital Authority or Queen Mary Hospital attended the funeral or expressed sympathy to the family. Throughout the entire ordeal, Chau has voiced his frustration with the authorities' refusal to acknowledge their mistakes.

On the day of the encoffining ceremony, Chau's family arrived at the Diamond Hill Funeral Parlour, where the father calmly greeted the press. In contrast, the mother appeared sorrowful, wiping away tears during the family's departure to Cape Collinson Crematorium for the cremation.

Their emotions reflected their profound loss and the pain of saying their final goodbyes to their beloved daughter, Tin-yu.