Driver released after fatal minibus crash

The 28-year-old minibus driver behind the wheel at the time of a fatal crash on Monday night was released yesterday on HK$5,000 bail. He will report to police today. The driver claimed he suddenly suffered a seizure and lost control of the vehicle. Police said the driver has no epileptic history. The investigation will focus on the condition of his health and the vehicle.

The accident occurred at about 11 pm Monday night. The minibus smashed into another minibus near No 608 Sai Sha Road and rammed into a bus stop. Two pedestrians were knocked down, including a 53-year-old woman who was killed. Also injured were four passengers and the driver himself. Two of the injured remained hospitalized yesterday.

College probed for tuition loan bait-and-switch

Literacy College, a private institution, is under police investigation for allegedly suggesting students pay tuitions in lump sums by borrowing from a loan company recommended by the school.

According to the complainants, the college administration claimed the students would be able to apply for a government loan program upon recruitment. When they found they couldn't, the students were told to obtain loans through the lending company.

The college's temporary registration with the Education Bureau has expired.

Sam Shui Po says no to spy cams

Police failed to persuade Sham Shui Po residents to allow installation of surveillance cameras to deter acid attacks at a district council meeting yesterday.

Police suggested installing cameras at six locations to monitor highrises along the pedestrian sections of Ap Liu Street. But district councillors failed to reach a consensus, because of residents' concerns about their privacy and scepticism about the effectiveness of the surveillance system.

Sham Shui Po District Commander Nelson Lui Hon-kwok admitted the proposed system has "blind spots". Sham Shui Po District Council Chairman Chan Tung said further discussion will be necessary.

Drug testing program achieves goals The Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong Pik-yee says the trial drug testing program in Tai Po schools has succeeded in achieving major objectives: it has helped to consolidate the resolve of students who take drugs to seek help. Subsequently, several dozens of students have sought help from social workers and quit drugs, which wouldn't have happened without the program, she said.

Trial program addressing elder care shortage

Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said more than 6,000 elderly are on waiting lists for the 2,000 beds in government-subsidized nursing homes. While this year's financial budget infused HK$160 million in recurrent funding to add an additional 1,000 places in residential care homes, a three-year trial scheme on home-based care will be piloted in Kowloon next year. Nurses will be deployed to provide treatment and carers will deliver meals and wash clothes for the elderly.

China Daily

(HK Edition 03/03/2010 page1)