New footage on student's death

A coroner yesterday suddenly adjourned the inquest into the death of University of Science and Technology student Chow Tsz-lok, saying he needed time to examine security camera footage showing new details that could shed light on the case.

Chow, 22, died from brain injuries four days after he fell from the third to the second floor at Sheung Tak Estate car park in Tseung Kwan O in the early hours of November 4 last year, while police clashed with anti-government protesters nearby.

Coroner Ko Wai-hung adjourned the hearing on the 14th day of the inquest yesterday, saying he found a "very important video" filmed by security cameras in Kwong Ming Court near the car park.

The footage contained key details unknown to the court before, which could significantly affect the testimony of experts to be summoned later, Ko said.

He said he found the footage when checking videos that had not been played in the court "for the sake of prudence," adding that he would need to reexamine all CCTV videos and bring in experts to improve their quality if necessary.

The hearing is unlikely to resume this morning, Ko said.

Chow's mother, who was attending the hearing, burst into tears after the adjournment.

Ko's decision came as a surprise after Ngai Kwun-kit, a police detective in charge of scanning through the videos, said that the Kwong Ming Court cameras did not capture the car park.

Earlier yesterday, doctor Leung Tsz-hang, who treated Chow after he was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, testified that he would not rule out the possibility that Chow had been thrown off the car park while unconscious.

Leung said Chow suffered major injuries on the right of his body, including bone fractures in the skull and hip, as well as pneumothorax. The most serious wound was on his head.

The injuries could be due to falling from a height or being assaulted, he said, adding there was no sign indicating that Chow inhaled tear gas during the incident, although such signs would normally disappear after half an hour. Nor was he burnt or hit by rubber bullets.

Leung also said a young person tends to naturally react when he falls by placing his hands against the ground, causing bruises.

But such bruises were not found on Chow's hands, which Leung said was "a rare situation" and indicated that Chow lost consciousness before the fall.

He added that Chow was not drunk or on drugs, so the reason for Chow's probable unconsciousness was unclear.

One explanation could be that Chow was assaulted by others and then thrown off from the building, the doctor said.

Barrister Samson Hung Kin-man, representing the police, asked Leung if it was possible that Chow had lost his balance and could not react in time by using his hands to protect his body.

Leung replied that such a scenario would be unlikely.

mandy.zheng@singtaonewscorp.com