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A fatal workplace accident in Tuen Mun’s Tsing Chuen Wai area last Wednesday (Jun 17) has been reclassified as manslaughter, with police arresting two men over alleged unlicensed operation and supervisory negligence.
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A 65-year-old excavator operator died after being struck in the abdomen by machinery on the day of the incident. Investigators believe that at the time, another male worker was operating an excavator and accidentally struck the victim, who was working behind the machine, handling materials.
According to authorities, the recycling facility has been operating for more than six years and mainly handles paper, copper, and metal waste, covering an area of about 200,000 square feet. The deceased had worked at the site as a hired excavator operator for around six years.
A post-mortem examination conducted by the government laboratory and forensic pathologists found that the victim suffered internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma to the abdomen. The injury pattern was consistent with the height of the excavator, suggesting the incident was linked to workplace negligence and inadequate supervision.
On Wednesday (Jun 24), police reclassified the case and arrested a 51-year-old excavator operator for allegedly operating machinery without a valid license. A 29-year-old site supervisor was also arrested for allegedly allowing the operation of unlicensed machinery at the site. Both are being detained for further questioning. Police did not rule out further arrests.
A senior inspector from Tuen Mun Police District said the Labour Department had also conducted an inspection at the site on the day of the accident and issued a suspension notice to the recycling yard.
Investigations are continuing in collaboration with the Labour Department. Authorities said they will seek legal advice from the Department of Justice, and that criminal liability will be pursued if breaches of safety regulations or negligence are confirmed.
(Updated 9.12pm)
