A local man in his seventies suffered serious head injuries after being hit by a public bus as he dashed into the road in Fai Chi Kei yesterday afternoon, authorities announced.
The accident occurred at around 5:00 p.m. in Rua do Comandante João Belo (俾若翰街/筷子基北街) outside the Lok Yeung Fa Yuen (綠楊花園) residential estate – the two-way road running along the south-side waterfront of Patane North Bay.
No one on the bus was injured.
According to a Public Security Police (PSP) statement, the findings of a preliminary investigation indicate that the senior citizen ran into the road. The bus driver slammed on the brakes but was unable to stop in time. The driver, aged in his forties, passed a breathalyser test.
The Fire Services Bureau (CB) stated that when paramedics arrived at the scene, they found the man unconscious and breathing weakly. He was rushed to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre for emergency treatment.
Public bus operator TCM said in a statement that the No. 101 route bus was travelling “normally” when the male pedestrian “suddenly” dashed into the road. The bus driver immediately applied the brakes, but the pedestrian was hit by the front-left hand side of the vehicle.
TCM emphasised that it has activated its emergency response procedures and sent staff to the hospital to monitor the situation closely. The company added that it will fully cooperate with the police investigation into the exact cause of the accident.
The pavement was fitted with roadside barriers, but the senior citizen squeezed through an existing gap in the railings and dashed across the road when the accident occurred.
This photo shows the public bus at the accident scene in Fai Chi Kei yesterday afternoon. – Photo courtesy of TDM
