Father of three dies after sports car crash

A 35-year-old father of three died in a smash in Ta Kwu Ling when his sports car rammed railings before going down a slope and overturning.

But his 60-year-old father, sitting alongside, escaped with injuries.

Lai Tsun lived with his 27-year-old wife, sons aged four and two and a 10-month-old daughter at a house in Fan Ling's Ping Che New Village.

Family breadwinner Lai worked for up to 14 hours a day as a container truck driver delivering vegetables to markets.

But he was behind the wheel of his Nissan GT-R - a Japan-manufactured high-performance sports car - at 10.38pm on Saturday and heading along Ping Che Road towards Sha Tau Kok Road with his father alongside him.

Police said he appeared to lose control suddenly and careened along 15 meters of railings before going down a one-meter slope and rolling over.

Father and son were trapped inside the overturned car then freed by firemen.

Lai was taken unconscious to North District Hospital in Sheung Shui. He sustained multiple injuries and was declared dead at 11.42pm.

His father, who suffered injuries to his head and limbs, was taken to the same hospital.

The car was seen later with its hood detached and a railing puncturing through the windscreen. There were bloodstains on the airbag facing the driving seat.

Lai's sons were among 50 relatives who went with fruit, incense sticks and his clothing to the accident scene at noon yesterday for a one-hour roadside ritual.

The father, discharged from hospital earlier, said his son could have experienced his car skidding on a slippery road surface.

After the crash he recalled calling repeatedly to his son, nicknamed Tsun, "don't fall asleep."

He described Lai as a generous person and dutiful son and recalled celebrating Father's Day with him every year. He also loved dogs.

An uncle of Lai, nicknamed Brother Chung, said his nephew had taken great care of his health and fitness.

"He often practiced boxing after he returned home from work," said the uncle, and he also slept early. "He didn't smoke, drink or go out at late at night. His only hobby was driving."

The sports care was in fact registered to his twin sister.

In grieving for the loss of his nephew the uncle also revealed that Lai and the family had celebrated the birthday of his two-year-old son the previous day.

The case was being investigated by the New Territories North traffic accident team.

erin.chan@singtaonewscorp.com