Truck Catches Fire on North Lantau Highway, Driver Missing
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
A 16-ton enclosed cargo truck lost control and burst into flames on North Lantau Highway in the early hours of July 15, sending debris into a following taxi and injuring its two occupants. Emergency crews responding to the incident discovered the truck driver had vanished from the scene. The highway's airport-bound carriageway has been fully closed as investigations continue.
Key Points
- A 16-ton enclosed truck was travelling along North Lantau Highway toward the airport around 3:15 am when it lost control near Island Harbourview, likely due to wet road conditions from rain
- The truck struck a row of crash barriers on the left side, ignited, and skidded several dozen metres before coming to rest on the shoulder, with witnesses reporting explosion sounds
- A taxi approaching from behind was struck by flying debris from the truck; the driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to North Lantau Hospital, while a male passenger also suffered minor injuries but did not require hospitalisation
- Firefighters deployed one hose line and a烟帽队 team to extinguish the blaze; police found no one trapped inside the truck despite initial reports suggesting the driver had been pinned
- The truck was carrying a shipment of electronic parts; its transport company owner and cargo owner arrived at the scene, while police are actively investigating the driver's whereabouts
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the heightened risk of serious accidents on Hong Kong's major outlying island highways during wet conditions, particularly involving heavy goods vehicles . The disappearance of the truck driver raises questions about compliance with commercial vehicle safety regulations, as authorities must now determine whether the driver fled the scene or was thrown from the vehicle during the crash . The full closure of North Lantau Highway, a critical artery connecting the airport and Tung Chung, is expected to cause significant traffic disruption during the morning rush hour .
This incident highlights the heightened risk of serious accidents on Hong Kong's major outlying island highways during wet conditions, particularly involving heavy goods vehicles . The disappearance of the truck driver raises questions about compliance with commercial vehicle safety regulations, as authorities must now determine whether the driver fled the scene or was thrown from the vehicle during the crash . The full closure of North Lantau Highway, a critical artery connecting the airport and Tung Chung, is expected to cause significant traffic disruption during the morning rush hour .