Appeal for information on fatal vessel collision
************************************************

Police today (April 9) appealed for information about a fatal vessel collision case off Cheung Chau on the morning of March 20.

About 3.55 am on March 20, police received a report that a man was shouting for help in the water west of Cheung Chau. Marine Police rescued the injured 64-year-old man on board a sampan and his 61-year-old wife who had fallen into sea. The two were sent to Cheung Chau Hospital and the woman, who was then transferred to Queen Mary Hospital, was certified dead on April 1.

Initial enquiries revealed that the man and his wife were crossing the Adamasta Channel on a sampan. At west Cheung Chau, the sampan apparently collided with a ferry heading northeast. The man was injured in the collision and his wife was knocked unconscious into the water.

The captain of the ferry, 55, was arrested for endangering the safety of others at sea and was bailed pending further enquiries.

Investigations by Regional Crime Unit of Marine Region are proceeding.

Anyone, especially those passengers travelling on the ferry on that day, who might have witnessed the accident or who has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 2803 6172.

Police Report No.3

Ends/Thursday, April 9, 2009