David Yik and his wife, along with hundreds of other Hongkongers, just wanted to come home.

But the cross-country drive to a Phuket airport - where they hoped to find safe passage home - ended in tragedy.

Yik, a Lutheran deacon in Hong Kong, died in a car crash along with a Canadian man he was traveling with.

Yesterday, members of Yik's church in Yau Ma Tei gathered to pray for his family.

ELCHK Truth Lutheran Church Reverend Pau Saiming conveyed the sense of shock and sadness that had spread throughout the congregation.

"We hope that Mrs Yik can be brought back to Hong Kong safely as soon as possible," Pau said. "Members of the church loved Mr Yik. We all feel sad about the incident."

The reverend talked about how active Yik was in the church and community, saying: "He took his time to visit hospitals and showed care to the patients. He also visited elderly homes very often".

Yik was a businessman who operated restaurants. He is survived by his wife and two children.

(HK Edition 12/02/2008 page1)