Michael Shum

A 65-year-old taxi driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death following a tragic six-car pile-up on the West Kowloon Highway near Olympic MTR Station, which resulted in the deaths of three people just hours into the New Year.

The fatal accident occurred at 1.44 am yesterday when a black vehicle, driven by a 30-year-old Pakistani man, was overtaking multiple cars in the right lane while heading toward the Western Harbour Crossing.

The black vehicle was carrying four male passengers, all Pakistani, aged between 21 and 34.

At the same time, the taxi driver, identified by the surname Lam, was transporting two passengers - a 23-year-old male named Lau and a 19-year-old female, also surnamed Lau.

Dashcam footage circulating online shows the black vehicle rapidly approaching Lam's taxi, which was in the middle lane near Olympic MTR Station.

As the black vehicle neared, the taxi abruptly swerved into the right lane, colliding with the black vehicle.

This impact sent the black vehicle crashing into the road divider, after which it bounced back across all three lanes, striking another taxi and three private vehicles parked on the left shoulder.

The black vehicle sustained catastrophic damage, with only the lower part of its frame remaining recognizable. Although airbags deployed, the engine was dislodged during the collision. Among the debris, a baby stroller was also found on the road.

The driver of the black vehicle suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three of its four passengers were rushed in an unconscious state to Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung, where two of them, aged 33 and 34, were declared dead about an hour later in the emergency room. The remaining passenger was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a conscious state.

The passengers in Lam's taxi sustained limb injuries but were conscious when transported to Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei.

Lam was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and remained in police custody as of 9pm yesterday.

The driver, named Ali, immigrated to Hong Kong from Pakistan at a young age and was the primary breadwinner for his family, which includes his wife and two young sons aged two and one. They reside in Tsuen Wan.

Ali's sister, Sarah, expressed her grief, saying: "Ali went out for dinner and celebrations with friends from his hometown on New Year's Eve. I don't know them well. The black vehicle was my brother's, and he used it frequently."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com

Rescue personnel at the scene of the accident. Sing Tao

Dashcam footage shows the black vehicle, right, before the taxi swerved into the lane resulting in a collision. Sing Tao

The black vehicle sustained catastrophic damage. Sing Tao

Taxi driver arrested after deadly six-car pile-up