When a Double‑Decker Bus Decides to Play Tumbleweed in Tai Po
Picture a sunny Hong Kong evening in late February: the gentle air, the usual traffic chatter, and—spoiler alert—an incident that will make the headlines for several months. A double‑decker bus, a staple of Hong Kong’s praised public transport system, took a dramatic detour and toppled over by the town of Tai Po in the Northern New Territories.
The Crash in a Nutshell
- Fatalities: 19 people lost their lives (17 men, 2 women)
- Injuries: Dozens hurt, with many more trapped inside the wrecked bus
- Location: The bus slipped onto its side beside a road, hit a lamppost, and the roof was ripped to bits
- Rescue Effort: Firefighters and police dogs scoured the wreckage, while it was unclear how many passengers might still have been inside
Why Did It Flip?
The culprit? Speed. An injured passenger, shaking with shock, told the South China Morning Post that the bus was “way faster than it usually feels.” He described the moment the tire slipped and the bus spun like a topsy‑turvy carousel—“people fell on each other, tossed from side to side.”
Later updates from Apple Daily added that the driver, allegedly ten minutes late for the route, was aggressively speeding to make up for lost time. Faster? Yes. Safer? Absolutely not.
Design Gone Wrong?
Concern grew after Liberal Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk‑ting urged authorities to scrutinise bus designs. His remarks: “The upper deck of buses has frequently been torn off in accidents, posing a serious threat to passengers on that level.” The incident sparked debate about whether the structural integrity of these iconic vehicles needs a stern review.
A Look Back: Hong Kong’s Transport Mishaps
It’s worth remembering Hong Kong’s “greatest hits” of traffic disasters:
- 2003: A double‑decker plunged from a bridge after a collision with a truck—21 lives lost.
- 2008: Another bus crash claimed 18 souls.
- April 2024: A double‑deck tram tipped over, injuring 14 people; the 23‑year‑old driver was arrested for dangerous driving.
- 2012: A high‑speed ferry collided with a pleasure boat, killing 39; maritime safety remains under sideways scrutiny.
Reflection
Despite the world‑renowned praise for Hong Kong’s transport infrastructure, these string of tragedies remind us that nothing is foolproof. When the road, the vehicle, and a handful of decisions collide, the cost is measured in human terms—and our city’s resilience will determine how we respond to the next challenge.
