Dream of flying comes true thanks to big-hearted officers
Wing Lam was a professional cyclist. In 1997 his passion for cycling was crushed when he lost the ability to use his legs in a tragic traffic accident. Undeterred Wing went on with his life the best he could, and eventually married and raised two sons. But this was a man who still had dreams. He wanted to discard his wheelchair, fly like a bird, defy gravity and soar freely in the sky. Now, that dream has come true, thanks to the tireless efforts of a group of police volunteers led by Police Constable (PC) Yuen Wai-kit of Traffic New Territories North.
Late last year RTHK announced a new documentary "World without Walls", and asked the public to submit ideas. The second letter they received came from Wing, asking for the chance to fly like a bird.
RTHK then approached PC Yuen, an accomplished tandem paraglider pilot, to see if such a flight was possible. He agreed to meet Wing, although he had some reservations because to launch a tandem paraglider the pilot and passenger both need to run in unison to gain enough air speed to get off the ground. Clearly, that was not an option in this case.
At their first meeting PC Yuen and Wing struck up an immediate friendship. Both had grown up in Shatin, purchased their racing bikes at the same shop, rode the same routes but never met before. PC Yuen was immediately committed to getting his new friend in the air on a paraglider.
Problem solved
He set about researching the carriage of physically handicapped people and within a matter of days was in contact with a group of Taiwanese pilots who regularly give such flights. In no time PC Yuen obtained the procedures for securing the passenger, details of a launch technique and an assortment of other helpful advice including safety and the all-important landing approach.
So, it was possible to launch and land with a handicapped passenger. The next challenge was how to get a wheelchair-bound Wing up to the remote launch site on the Ngong Ping plateau near Pyramid Hill in Ma On Shan. Chief Inspector Eric Wong of Planning and Development, another enthusiastic paraglider pilot, suggested seeking Police volunteers to help carry Wing the three kilometres up hill to the launch. A message was posted on Facebook and in less than a day the plan was coming together with eight officers volunteering to help carry Wing up the hill.
Everything ready
On January 25, everything was ready. The transport was laid on to convey Wing half way up the north side of Ma On Shan, the TV crew was ready, police volunteers were in place to carry Wing the last three kilometres to the launch and all important... the wind was co-operating with a steady easterly on to the launch hill. In a relay Wing was carried up the mountain in his wheelchair and brought to the launch.
He was briefed on the flight by PC Yuen and strapped into his seat harness. He then waited for the wind. After a flawless launch Wing achieved his dream of soaring like a bird for a 40-minute flight over Sai Kung before having a feather-like landing.
Wing has expressed his profound thanks to PC Yuen and all the officers needed to make his flight a success. They are Sgts Cheng Ping-ching and Li Kai-wah, and PCs Ho Ka-wah, Yam Chi-wai, Mok Kwun-ho, Yip Chi-tat, Tse Wing-keung and Chan Kit-ho.
TVB Jade reported the full story on March 9.
Officers can also watch Wing's flight and the volunteers in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCiGdCZMZHo
With
the
assistance
of PC Yuen (behind), police volunteers and other
helpers, Wing soars over Sai Kung with PC Yuen, fulfilling a lifelong
dream
Wing
is
carried
up the mountain in his wheelchair to the launch by police
volunteers