A Hong Kong man who worked for the government’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has died after he was reportedly “bitten by something” while working on Tai Mo Shan.
AFCD Senior Field Assistant Lam Kin-wai, 46, was pronounced dead at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on Wednesday after he lost consciousness following a reported insect bite while at Hong Kong’s highest peak.
A police spokesperson told HKFP they had received a report at around 11 am from two men and a woman on Tai Mo Shan. According to the report filed to the police, when the trio reached Mo Tung Lam, Lam said he was “not feeling well” after being “bitten by something.”
By the time rescue personnel arrived at the scene, Lam was already unconscious. He was helicoptered to hospital where he was certified dead at around 1 pm.
Lam had worked for the AFCD for 13 years, and was primarily tasked with collecting and identifying plant species for the department, a statement later released by the director of agriculture, fisheries and conservation revealed.
“Lam served the community with dedication and perseverance. His performance was excellent and he was held in high regard by colleagues. I am deeply grieved at the loss of such a devoted colleague. On behalf of all our colleagues, I offer the deepest condolences to his family,” director of the department Mickey Lai said in the statement.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, environment chief Tse Chin-wan expressed his sadness over Lam’s death. “On behalf of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, I offer my deepest condolences to Mr Lam’s family. We will make every effort to provide necessary support and assistance to the family,” Tse said.
According to the statement released by the AFCD director: “Lam’s right palm was injured when collecting plant specimens at Tai Mo Shan Country Park with his colleagues this morning. He quickly lost consciousness. His colleagues immediately called the police for help. However, he was certified dead after being sent to a hospital.”
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung joined her colleagues in expressing her “deep sorrow” in response to Lam’s death, and extended her “deepest condolences” to his family, according to a statement issued on Wednesday evening.
Some local media reports stated that Lam had been bitten by ants. Police on Wednesday said they did not yet have confirmation on the cause of death, which could only be confirmed by an autopsy.
