Wave of distress calls as storm hits beachgoers

A canoeist was found unconscious when a party of nine was rescued from Pak Sha Chau waters in Sai Kung after their boats capsized.

The canoeist was among at least nine others engaged in water sports who sent out about 20 distress calls within an hour from 3.30 pm yesterday in the wake of the weather taking a sudden turn for the worse.

The Observatory hoisted the thunderstorm warning yesterday at 2.45 pm. Violent gusts exceeding 110 kilometers per hour were recorded at Tai O at around 7.25 pm. Winds of similar speeds as well as squally thunderstorms were expected to continue to affect the region. The warning was lifted at 8.45 pm

At 3.48 pm, police received four calls from paddle-boarders in the waters off Tsuen Wan Road in Ma On Shan when heavy rain and thunderstorms ravaged the area.

At 4.03 pm, paddle-boarders off Yiu Sha Road, Ma On Shan, also requested assistance.

At the same time, 12 canoeists near Yeung Chau in Tai Po called for a police rescue team, saying that they were trapped at sea amid heavy wind and rain.

At 4.15 pm, at least two adults and two children belonging to a party of nine who had paddled four canoes out to sea at Pak Sha Chau in Sai Kung fell into the water after strong waves capsized their vessels.

The children were taken to safety at Sai Kung pier unscathed, but one adult was found unconscious when rescue personnel rescued the paddle-boarders.

A woman was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for emergency treatment following a brief stop at the Sai Kung Marine Police base.

The Fire Services Department received at least eight reports of a similar nature within a span of 30 minutes from around 4pm yesterday.

In one incident, four people who were thrown into the water after their vessels capsized were able to get to safety.

Pak Sha Chau, an island in Sai Kung that measures about 200 meters long, is a well known venue for water sports enthusiasts.