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Leopold Chen

The Philippine consulate in Hong Kong is helping the family of a Filipino tourist who was killed when an 80-year-old taxi driver crashed his vehicle into a hotel wall, as lawmakers renewed calls for elderly cabbies to face stricter health requirements.
Philippine vice-consul George Mariano Soriano said on Wednesday that his office was assisting the family of the 35-year-old tourist and “anticipating their arrival in Hong Kong soon to arrange the shipment of [his] remains”.
“The consulate general offers its deepest condolences to the deceased’s family and prays for his eternal rest,” he told the Post.
Soriano said the man’s body was being kept at the Kwai Chung Public Mortuary.
The tourist was struck head-on by the taxi when it mounted the pavement outside Tsuen Wan’s Nina Hotel on Tuesday afternoon. The impact of the crash left a hole in the venue’s facade.
The victim was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead.
The 80-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death. The Post earlier reported that the cabby said he had felt dizzy and lost control of the vehicle before the crash.
In response to the Post’s queries, hotel owner Chinachem Group said the victim was a guest who had checked out. The company pledged to review its safety measures.
“Following the incident, we are reviewing our existing safety measures to enhance traffic control and pedestrian safety. The hotel is deeply committed to maintaining a secure environment and proactively minimising risks for all our guests,” it said.

Michael Tien Puk-sun, a member of the Legislative Council’s transport panel, urged authorities to tighten health regulations for elderly taxi drivers.
“My heart immediately sank when I heard the driver was 80 years old. The safety issue surrounding elderly commercial drivers has once again sounded the alarm,” he said.
There is no existing legislation that defines “commercial vehicle” in Hong Kong. The government has used the term to refer to taxis, light buses, buses and goods vehicles, in addition to articulated and special-purpose vehicles.
Tien said annual medical checks should be mandated for commercial vehicle drivers aged 70 or above, adding that the same requirement should apply to those on ride-hailing platforms.
In May 2023, the government submitted recommendations to Legco, proposing that commercial vehicle drivers aged 65 or above submit physical fitness certification to authorities every year to renew their driving licences.
Under the current regulations, only those aged 70 or older are required to submit such reports, while their driving licences can be valid for up to three years.
“The current term of the government prioritises efficiency, and we have covered a lot of details [at the meetings]. How come we still don’t have the legislation in 2025, despite wrapping up discussions in 2023?” Tien said.
Fellow lawmaker Adrian Pedro Ho King-hong also called on authorities to strengthen the regulations.
He said that strict body checks and road reaction tests should be required for all drivers providing taxi, online ride-hailing and public transport services, adding that a retirement age should be stipulated too.
According to government figures, the number of taxi drivers aged 70 or above who were involved in traffic accidents reached 651 last year, compared with 626 in 2023 and 454 in 2022.
In a reply to the Post, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said it had consulted Legco over the introduction of stricter medical examination certificate requirements for professional drivers.
“The feedback was generally positive, but some industry representatives expressed concerns about factors such as manpower shortages and the frequency of medical examinations,” the bureau said.
It added that the government was finalising proposals to tighten medical certificate requirements.
Additional reporting by Lo Hoi-ying and Oscar Liu


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Philippine consulate in Hong Kong helping family of tourist killed in taxi crash

A Filipino tourist died on Tuesday after being hit by a car at the Nina Hotel in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Handout

The Filipino tourist was struck head-on by the speeding taxi, which mounted the pavement at Nina Hotel in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Winson Wong

Elderly Hong Kong cabby held after crashing into taxi rank, killing Filipino tourist

The victim was left unconscious and emergency services rushed him to Princess Margaret Hospital, where he was certified dead at 3.12pm. Photo: Handout

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A taxi brings a passenger to the High Island Reservoir earlier this year. The area will still be accessible via minibus No 9A. Photo: Dickson Lee

The East Dam has become a hotspot among mainland Chinese visitors thanks to coverage on social media platforms. Photo: Dickson Lee

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Crash involving 80-year-old cabby prompts lawmakers to renew calls for elderly taxi drivers to be subject to stricter health requirements


Crash involving 80-year-old cabby prompts lawmakers to renew calls for elderly taxi drivers to be subject to stricter health requirements.


Accidents and personal safety in Hong Kong

The Philippines

China

Philippine consulate in Hong Kong helping family of tourist killed in taxi crash

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Crash involving 80-year-old cabby prompts lawmakers to renew calls for elderly taxi drivers to be subject to stricter health requirements

Crash involving 80-year-old cabby prompts lawmakers to renew calls for elderly taxi drivers to be subject to stricter health requirements