Protester Lau Yuk-tong goes down on his knees in front of reporters on Wednesday, apologizing for his behavior which had obstructed traffic for five hours and inadvertently caused the death of 49-year-old police sergeant Lau Chi-kin. Provided to China Daily

Protester apologizes over fatal mishap and vows never again to endanger others

A policeman lost his life on Wednesday after falling from a footbridge where he was attempting to reach a protester who had created traffic obstruction.

Station sergeant Lau Chi-kin, 49, slipped off the rain-slicked surface of the 4-meter-high bridge and plunged to the walkway below.

He suffered head and chest injuries and was sent to Queen Mary Hospital for treatment.

Sergeant Lau was certified dead at 2:43 pm.

Lau joined the police force in 1981 and was attached to the Central District crime unit.

His senior, Felix Law Cheuk-hung, deputy district commander, in an emotional moment before television cameras, told reporters Lau had been a "competent colleague".

The Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang, the Acting Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok and the Commissioner of Police Andy Tsang went to the hospital to extend condolences to Lau's family.

"I am saddened to learn of the news. The government will give every possible assistance to the family members of the deceased," Lai said.

Police Commissioner Tsang added that officers are given guidelines on how to deal with various situations but it is impossible to include every single scenario.

He urged protesters not to endanger their safety, as well as the safety of others, adding that people ought to demonstrate in a peaceful manner.

The protester Lau Yuk-tong had unfurled a banner on top of the bridge on Connaught Road Central at 8 am. The banner carried a demand for Secretary for Food and Health York Chow to step down.

The man charged his poultry license had been revoked in 2008 after the government decided to shut down chicken farms to prevent bird flu.

He said he had never been compensated by the government.

The man had come precariously close to the edge of the bridge a number of times, prompting firemen to place a rescue cushion on the road below in case he jumped.

The incident blocked the road for five hours until police and fire service officers overpowered Lau and arrested him.

Lau apologized to the family of the dead officer on Wednesday afternoon, bowing before reporters.

He said he felt "deep regret" and pledged he will do nothing that may be harmful to the public in the future.

The government explained that the 2008 buyout package for workers in the live poultry trade did not cover all aspects of the industry.

Lau was in the business of transporting day-old chicks - one aspect not covered by the buyout.

Secretary for Food and Health York Chow rejected the man's allegation that the health department had failed to provide a satisfactory reply.

"Colleagues from the Food and Health Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department have met Mr Lau many times since 2008, and as recently as May 20 this year, to explain to him the coverage of the buyout package and tell him what kind of assistance he could seek from the established channels," Chow told reporters.

China Daily

(HK Edition 06/16/2011 page1)