When 5 people were killed and 50 hurt by a runaway Hong Kong bus
A horror bus crash in 1979 saw a driver prosecuted, but later acquitted in court, after carnage at a bus stop, the South China Morning Post reported at the time
“A driver was arrested yesterday after a bus ploughed into a huge crowd at North Point killing four people and injuring 46,” reported the South China Morning Post on July 23, 1979. “The man, Ling Sum-ha (57), has been charged with dangerous driving causing death. He was released on $5,000 bail and is required to report to Traffic headquarters, Island, tomorrow.
“The accident happened at North Point bus terminus shortly before 9am when it was packed with about 1,000 people – hundreds of whom were heading for a day’s outing to the beaches. About half the people were in a U-shaped queue at the stop for Route 62 which runs to Chung Hom Kok via Repulse Bay. As they were waiting under the sun, a No 62 bus driven by Ling halted about 25 yards from the stop to unload passengers.
“The bus was then to have gone to the stop to pick up new passengers. But a No 8 double-decker was blocking the way. Police have taken possession of a note which was attached to the steering column by a previous driver. The note is believed to have referred to a ‘noise’ the gear box had been making. Mr Ling got into the No 8 and tried to drive it away. Suddenly, the vehicle jerked forward, flattening a traffic sign and ploughing into the queue of passengers. At least six people were dragged underneath the bus. About five others were hit and flung several yards by the impact.
“As hundreds of people fled in panic, the bus continued to surge ahead – dragging victims underneath it – until it hit the rear of another double-decker about 10 yards away. Fifty people were injured – four fatally – within seconds. Several people were hurt as the crowd tried to flee. The holiday atmosphere was transformed into one of tragedy as victims lay on the blood-spattered road. Two of the dead, a boy and a young woman, were crushed between the runaway bus and the one into which it crashed. The terminus was strewn with slippers, beach mats and swimming floats. The first ambulance arrived at 9.10am, about 20 minutes after the accident.”
“Judge Evans said he himself took the literal meaning of the note and would not drive a vehicle at all if such a note was attached to it. But, he added, it had special meaning to the company’s employees.”