Rescue workers rush against time to save victims trapped inside an overturned tour bus in Sai Kung yesterday. Edmond Tang

A bus crash in Sai Kung yesterday morning left 18 women dead and 44 people injured in one of the worst traffic wrecks in Hong Kong's history.

Police said most of the passengers were elderly women, and all were members of a religious organization on their way to a group activity.

The 32-year-old bus driver was arrested on charges of dangerous driving causing death.

At 9:04am, the bus was traveling downhill on Nam Wai Road when police say the driver lost control, resulting in the bus hitting a lamppost, spinning counterclockwise and overturning.

The deceased ranged in age from 30 to 83.

The remaining passengers, all injured, are between 2 and 85. They were taken to eight hospitals. As of press time, 12 remained in critical condition and nine were listed as serious.

Authorities said the tour bus driver had 10 years of driving experience. Contrary to initial reports, police said the bus wasn't overloaded.

Acting Chief Fire Officer of New Territories Li Hung-sum said at the scene of the accident that passengers were trapped by distorted seats, making the rescue effort incredibly difficult.

"Firemen had to climb through the windows of the wreckage to enter, but the distorted seats limited the rescue space. ... They had to take out the seats one by one," he said.

Police said the bus's collapsed roof made the rescue much more difficult.

The effort took nearly three hours, with the final passenger removed around noon.

Injuries ranged from head trauma to broken bones and severe bleeding.

Because of the high casualty rate, a temporary mortuary was set up at the scene.

Oil that had leaked onto the road created an additional hazard. Firefighters sprayed the road with water and spread out wood chips to reduce the fire risk.

In all, 14 fire trucks and 33 ambulances responded to the wreck. One passenger was airlifted to a hospital by a Government Flying Service helicopter.

Condolences and recovery

Chief Executive Donald Tsang expressed condolences to the victims and their families, and he promised government aid.

"This is, I believe, the most serious traffic accident that has happened in recent years," he said after visiting victims at the Tseung Kwan O Hospital.

"On behalf of Hong Kong citizens and the SAR government, I offer the warmest regards to the injured and (families of the) deceased," he said.

He said the Home Affairs Department would immediately address the needs of the victims' families.

A retired Sai Kung man surnamed Lee came to the scene when he heard sirens and saw the helicopter. He noted the dangerousness of the roundabout where the wreck occurred. "There have been car accidents here in the past, but none of them were serious," Lee added.

To help the victims and their families, the government immediately began offering aid at the five hospitals with the most casualties. Hotlines were also set up for people to call.

The numbers are: 2305 7537, 2305 7548, 9022 0060.

Director of Home Affairs Pamela Ng said the government will help victims apply for emergency relief funds, with up to HK$8,000 being offered to each victim who applies.

Police Acting Superintendent Ho Chak-kan, in charge of investigation and support of traffic in Kowloon East, said police are investigating the wreck and will decide whether criminal offences occurred beyond the alleged traffic violations.

He said the cause of the wreck will be found, and police will strive to prevent another such wreck from occurring.

He said the wreck location isn't a "black spot". However, there were eight wrecks there last year, and three in the first quarter of this year. No injuries occurred in those incidents.

(HK Edition 05/02/2008 page4)