Husband dies in MTR station murder-suicide

An 80-year-old man tried to kill his wheelchair-bound wife before ending his life apparently out of mental and physical exhaustion after years of caring for the 71-year-old woman, sources said.

The two were found collapsed inside a toilet for the handicapped with plastic bags wrapped around their heads.

The husband, Chan, died while his wife, Leung survived. The incident took place around 4.33 pm on Tuesday.

Following an alarm signal from the toilet, staff at Shek Mun MTR station discovered Chan on the ground, while Leung was found in her wheelchair, both in an unconscious state.

They were taken to Prince of Wales Hospital, where Leung regained consciousness. Chan was declared dead at 5.22 pm.

Officers suspect Chan acted out of concern for his wife's deteriorating health and his inability to care for her. Instead of placing her in a nursing home, he chose this drastic course of action.

"Prior to the incident, he [Chan] had even gone to a nursing home to bring his wife back with him," a source said. "For the past decade, Chan had taken on the responsibility of caring for his wife, who had been suffering from dementia for over 10 years."

However, in recent years, her condition worsened, and she became paralyzed and unable to speak or walk.

The strain of caring for her is said to have taken a toll on Chan. The couple had been together for many decades, and with Leung's condition deteriorating, Chan found himself exhausted and overwhelmed. They have two sons who reside in their own homes in Mong Kok.

A reporter visited the nursing home, but the staff there declined to comment on the incident.

Two plastic bags, a wheelchair and a red reusable bag containing personal belongings were taken away by officers.

The police found suicide notes at the scene and at the couple's home in Mong Kok. In them, Chan said that due to his wife's deteriorating health and his own advanced age, he felt unable to continue caring for her and had planned to end their lives using plastic bags.

The Department of Health said it was important for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being to avoid mental and physical stress. It recommends they educate themselves about the diseases their loved ones face, develop nursing skills, and bolster their confidence and adaptability in providing care.