68-year-old man dies after falling 50 metres down cliff during hike

^{Bluff Island Photo: Wikipedia}

A 68-year-old hiker died after falling about 50 metres down a cliff on Bluff Island, Sai Kung yesterday (16/8).

The man was among 10 people who took a boat from Sai Kung Public Pier to Bluff Island to hike and take photos at about 9:30am. Police received an emergency call around 1:00 pm saying that someone had fallen off the cliff.

He was seriously injured and unconscious when rescued by a helicopter sent by the Government Flying Services and sent to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan for emergency treatment, where he eventually died of serious injuries before 2:30pm. 

“An initial investigation suggested the man fell 50 metres down a cliff in the Ung Kong Wan area of the Island,” a police spokeswoman said.

Chinese media are reporting local sources as saying that the man climbed the 50-metre cliff – nicknamed “Praying Hand Rock – with one of the group members, as he reached the top he lost his footing and fell down.

The Police spokeswoman said they were still investigating the cause of the incident.