Heat-stroke hiker found alive 'by pure luck'

Rachael Ng

A 56-year-old hiker was found alive with heatstroke after going missing for over 13 hours in Clearwater Bay Country Park near Lobster Bay.

This came after his wife reported him missing to the police at around 7pm on Sunday.

According to the family's social media appeal, the hiker, Tsang, left home around 7.35am on Sunday and went hiking alone at Lobster Bay.

He sent photos from Tai Leng Tung in the Clearwater Bay Country Park around 11am, but then later reported on social media that he was suffering from a heat stroke and had got lost.

His children were unable to locate him through his phone's GPS as the battery was depleted.

A massive search-and-rescue operation was launched, involving 21 fire engines, 2 ambulances, 90 firefighters including a mountain search and rescue team, as well as police, rescue dogs, drones, and other emergency services.

After 13 hours, rescuers located Tsang in the bushes near Blade Ridge at around 10.30am yesterday.

Tsang had multiple bruises, and signs of heatstroke but was still breathing with a weak pulse.

Rescuers had to perform CPR before airlifting him toPamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, where he is reported to be in critical condition. A rescuer said it was "pure luck" they found Tsang alive:

"Compared to the 54-year-old man, Chiu Yiu-sun, who was unable to be saved despite the best of our efforts after going missing for six days two years ago, it was pure luck that we found Tsang in a relatively short time," the rescuer said.

They highlighted the importance of hikers notifying others of their plans and avoiding hiking alone in hot weather.

Experienced climber Chung Kin-man also advised against hiking solo and recommended avoiding the hottest parts of the day.

The fire department urged the public to download the police's HKSOS app for safety during outdoor excursions.

"Hikers should never hike on their own, and they should avoid the brightest hours of the day," said Chung. "Hikers should also bring sufficient water."