An 83-year-old cyclist was killed yesterday morning after getting caught underneath an MTR Light Rail train in Tuen Mun, while his passenger, his 82-year-old wife, fell on the side of the tracks.
Both Ma and his wife, surnamed Mok, were taken to Tuen Mun hospital. Unfortunately, Ma was not able to be resuscitated, while Mok suffered from fractured bones in her arms and legs.
According to Apple Daily, the elderly couple was known to share bike rides everywhere as Mok had grown infirm over the years. They had reportedly formerly made their living as farmers, but Ma had become a janitor after their seven children grew up.
Ma had apparently finished his rubbish duties at Hung Wan Garden in Tuen Mun at around 6am and returned home to take Mok to early morning tea. The couple were crossing Castle Peak Road near Lam Tei just after 6.30am when the incident occurred.
A witness at the scene said Ma had barely made it onto the track when the light rail train failed to stop in time and struck him down.
Tuen Mun District Councillor To Sheck Yuen, who had known the couple for decades, expressed his sorrow at Ma’s passing, saying he was a dedicated and hardworking man. He added that the track should be changed to an overhead rail to prevent further accidents of a similar nature.
Police arrested the 33-year-old driver of the light rail vehicle, and charged him with dangerous driving causing death. He has been released on bail.
