Coroner Ko Wai-hung delivered an open verdict to the court yesterday over the death of 10-year-old Law Cheuk-ki, who fell at CCC Kei Chun Primary School in Dec. 2013, SCMP reports.
Ko blasted vice-principal Shek King for being “full of nonsense and lies”, adding that another vice-principal, Ko Yuen-wah, was “not trustworthy”.
He also stated that there was not sufficient evidence to conclude if Law committed suicide or if it were an accident, but said that there are serious discrepancies between the statements given by staff members and by medical personnel on the scene.
In one instance, Shek stated that Law was just lying there “as if she was asleep”, with no apparent or visible injuries. However paramedic Elvis Tsang told the court that Law obviously had a broken leg and a fractured skull, a statement supported by other medical responders.
Ko claimed that she told Tsang over the phone that Law fell from a height, but Tsang stated that Ko did not inform him of what happened and hung up when he pressed for more details.
After Tsang arrived on the scene, Ko reportedly told him that Law was able to walk.
The school staff was also criticised for calling St. John’s Ambulance instead of the emergency hotline.
HK Aided Primary School Heads Association Chairman Leung Siu-tang stated on a programme for Commercial Radio HK that he was confused as to why the school didn’t call 999 when a student’s life was in the balance, reports Ming Pao.
By returning an open verdict, Ko has now turned the case over to the police for further investigation as to whether Law’s death was a result of homicide.
He rejected the idea that the death was a result of an accident, as there was no evidence that the medication Law was on caused drowsiness, also adding that the railings were 1.3-metres high while Law was 1.42 metres tall, reports HKFP.
He also ruled out the possibility of suicide due to a lack of evidence.
After the verdict was given, Principal Wong Ching-man stated outside of the court that the school would study the verdict with its legal team.
Photo: CHSC Website
