Taxi driver dies in Fan Kam Road head-on crash after just returning to work

A taxi driver and his 84-year-old female passenger died on Thursday after their taxi collided head-on with a dump truck on Fan Kam Road, with the driver's family revealing he had just returned to work after a hospital stay.

The 56-year-old Lam surnamed driver, who had been driving taxis for 20 years, underwent eye surgery about a year ago due to diabetes affecting his vision. After recovering, he switched to part-time taxi driving and also worked occasionally as a security guard. He was hospitalized for gout for about 10 days until Tuesday, according to his son.

Lam's son said that his father was the primary breadwinner, despite him and his sister also working. The family lives together in Tin Shui Wai. "We told him not to work two jobs, but he said sometimes he had nothing to do at home, so he drove part-time," the son said.

+4

The crash occurred around 11am when the New Territories taxi heading towards Tsuen Wan collided with an oncoming dump truck near the Fanling Golf Course. Both the driver and the Wen surnamed female passenger suffered fatal injuries.

Police arrested the 35-year-old Ho surnamed truck driver on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death. The case is being investigated by the New Territories North traffic unit.