Authorities investigate after worker fatally crushed by construction vehicle

Hong Kong’s labour authorities are investigating a fatal accident in which a worker died after being run over by a construction vehicle at a sports ground, suspending contractors concerned and the operation of all loadshifting machines at the site.

Police received a report at about 8.58am on Friday that a man had been hit by a vehicle at Kowloon Bay Sports Ground on Kai Lok Street and was trapped beneath it on the running track.

The victim’s colleague contacted emergency services, and firefighters arrived to free the victim, but he was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining severe head injuries.

The driver of the vehicle remained on site to assist police with their investigation. Officers classified the case as an industrial accident. No arrest has been made so far.

The Labour Department said on Friday that it had deployed staff to the scene after learning of the accident and was investigating its cause.

“While working on the ground, a male worker was run over by a reversing compactor to death. The [department] is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family,” it said.

Officials issued suspension notices to the contractors involved, halting the use of all loadshifting machines at the site until safety risks were addressed.