A senior police inspector has died almost a week after losing consciousness during a diving test for the force’s elite tactical squad.
The officer, a 31-year-old surnamed Wong, was participating in an advanced selection assessment to join the Special Duties Unit – known as the “Flying Tigers” squad – near Lamma Island last Thursday.
While diving at around noon, he lost consciousness. He was rescued and brought to Princess Margaret Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery that day, but remained in critical condition after that.
The news was announced on Wednesday night by Commissioner of Police Joe Chow, who said Wong passed away in the presence of his family, friends and colleagues. The police force expresses its “deepest sympathy to his family,“ Chow said.
The force is investigating the incident and has suspended the selection assessment exercise, he added.
The police chief told reporters that Wong joined the police force in 2016 and was promoted to senior inspector in 2021.
In a statement, Secretary for Security Chris Tang also expressed his “deepest condolences to the officer’s family,” he said.
“The Security Bureau and the Police will make every effort to provide necessary support to help his family through this difficult time,” Tang said.
