Sai Kung patrol rescues hikers after heatstroke scare
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A father and son visiting Hong Kong were rescued by the Sai Kung Divisional Rural Patrol Team in late May after the father showed signs of heatstroke while hiking up Sai Wan Shan from the East Dam via Long Ke Wan. Police said the case unfolded in temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, and the rescue was aided by officers’ familiarity with Sai Kung terrain as well as the HKSOS mobile app’s positioning functions.
Key Points
- The emergency call came at about 2pm, when the son reported his father had numbness in his hands and feet after running short of drinking water on Sai Wan Shan.
- Because the callers were unfamiliar with Sai Kung geography and had no local phone number, officers communicated through a mainland messaging app to confirm their location.
- After identifying the pair on the hillside of Sai Wan Shan, the rural patrol team joined Fire Services personnel and hiked in from the East Dam with rescue gear.
- Rescuers told the pair to rest in shade, conserve energy, and stay in contact; on arrival, they provided water and sugar before escorting them back safely.
- Police said more hikers and tourists are visiting hotspots such as the MacLehose Trail, Po Pin Chau and Sharp Peak, sometimes underestimating route difficulty, weather and supplies.
Why It Matters
The case adds to official warnings that social-media-driven hiking and a lack of preparation can quickly turn dangerous in Sai Kung’s remote countryside, especially in extreme heat. Police are urging people to download and activate HKSOS before outdoor activities because it can help rescuers locate people even in areas with poor mobile coverage.