Deadly flash floods sweep away veteran hiker

The body of a veteran hiker has been found after he was reported to have been swept away by flash floods near a Tai Shui Hang waterfall.

The 60-year-old man, named Siu, was found at the bottom of a pool below Hero Waterfall at Ma Dai Stream at 5pm. He was certified dead at the scene.

A six-hour search for Siu had been carried out by three disciplined services at the stream and water-gathering grounds after his friends reported him missing at 10.46am.

Siu had been hiking with three friends - a man and two women - at about 9am when flash floods swept him about 50 meters from Hero Waterfall.

Fire officers, including divers, along with 13 fire engines and two ambulances were deployed to the scene at about 11am. They split into two groups, with one searching at the stream and the other at water-gathering grounds next to Tai Shui Hang village.

Police officers and a Government Flying Service helicopter were also dispatched, but the chopper suspended its search before noon due to heavy rains.

Siu's brother learned arrived near the water-gathering grounds at 4pm. Fire officers found Siu's body at the stream at 5pm.

His brother said Siu was an experienced hiker and had taught the activity for 20 to 30 years while founding a hiking association.

He said Siu was familiar with the landscape of Tai Shui Hang and would frequently go there with friends.

"He is very familiar with the environment of Ma Dai Stream ... but I don't know why he chose to hike there today."

Hero Waterfall is an attraction at Mai Dai Stream, which links Ma On Shan village to Tai Shui Hang village and is famous for its potholes.

On August 19 last year, a 25-year-old Pakistani man died after plunging 10 meters into the waterfall's stream.

Fire services recorded 566 mountain rescue incidents in the first six months of the year, compared to 244 in the corresponding period last year.

Five deaths were recorded from January to June compared to three in the same period last year.

The latest tragedy came as more than 70 millimeters of rain fell over Hong Kong in the wake of Typhoon Cempaka. Signal No 3 remained in force from Monday afternoon through most of yesterday morning, before it was downgraded to signal No1 at 1.20pm. All cyclone warnings were canceled at 7.40pm.

Rainfall exceeded 150 millimeters over parts of the territory, including Lantau island, Tai Po and Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O. The weather today is expected to be cloudy with squally showers, gales and thunderstorms. It is forecast to improve the next couple of days.

erin.chan@singtaonewscorp.com