Two mainland fishermen arrested for illegal entry after seeking help for fatally injured colleague off Silverstrand, Sai Kung

^{The boat sailed into the Silverstrand Bay area, and the fishermen called for help from the lifeguards. (Photo from Hong Kong and Kowloon Lifesaving Workers Union)}

This morning (13/5) around 10:30 am, the police received a report that someone had drowned in Silverstrand Bay, Sai Kung. The victim was rescued by lifeguards, but he was unconscious and sent to the hospital where he died. The victim’s two companions claimed that they were fishermen from the mainland, and the victim drowned while diving to pick up seafood off the coast of Daya Bay in China. They rescued the victim on a speedboat, but there was no help at the scene, so they had to sail into Hong Kong to seek help. After investigation, the police arrested the two for illegal entry.

^{Two fishermen were present to assist in the investigation and were later arrested for illegal entry. (Photo by HK01/翁鈺輝)}

According to reports from the scene, three mainland fishermen took a small boat to dive and pick up seafood on the coast of Daya Bay. One of the fishermen, about 50 years old, was believed to have drowned. His two companions rescued him, but the victim fell into a coma. After calling for help, they finally sailed the boat to Silverstrand Bay in Sai Kung and called the lifeguard on duty. The lifeguard immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the victim and called the police. Afterwards, the victim was sent to Tseung Kwan O Hospital by ambulance, but he was certified dead at 11:18 am.

^{The speedboat involved is about 4 metres long and has one outboard motor Photo by HK01/翁鈺輝}

The speedboat involved is about 4 metres long and has one outboard motor. There are fins, fishing nets and styrofoam boxes on board as well as fish, sea urchins and crabs in the small cabin under the seat.

The lifeguard at the scene recalled that when a speedboat sailed into the area of ​​Silverstrand Bay, two fishermen asked him for help in Mandarin, saying that their companion had drowned. It is reported that the victim was wearing a diving suit and his face was purple; the lifeguard then moved the victim ashore to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, they told the lifeguards that they were actually fishing in the nearby Port Shelter, not the coast of Daya Bay as they later told the police.