A Hong Kong taxi driver and his passenger had a narrow escape after a portion of a road collapsed, causing their vehicle to plunge into a sinkhole. The incident occurred on Lai Chi Kok Road around 12.30 am local time on Sunday.
In a video capturing the event, water can be seen gushing out of the sinkhole as the red taxi gets pulled into it. Fortunately, the 47-year-old male passenger and the 59-year-old driver managed to exit the car. While the passenger reportedly escaped unharmed, the driver, surnamed Siu, was taken to the hospital after complaining of dizziness and weakness in his limbs.
Siu shared with The Standard newspaper that he was driving towards Kwun Tong district when he noticed the road flooding. As he tried to change lanes, he encountered a bus and was forced to come to a stop. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and the taxi began to tilt to the left. Both the driver and the passenger managed to get out of the vehicle as water levels rose, with the passenger leaving in another taxi.
Local authorities swiftly cordoned off the area, closing a section of the road and redirecting buses and other vehicles. The sinkhole, measuring five metres deep, caused water to flood three traffic lanes. The incident was triggered by a burst 75cm-wide pipe along the road, confirmed by the water supplies department in Hong Kong.
To ensure the safety of road users, officials are conducting a radar detection of pipelines near the sinkhole. The department is working in coordination with the Drainage Services Department and the Highways Department to inspect the cause of the incident and plan the necessary road repairs. Fortunately, there will be no impact on the overall water supply as only a section of the pipe has been affected.
This unexpected event left the experienced taxi driver, Siu, reflecting on his two-decade career without encountering such a dramatic situation before. The community is grateful for the quick response of the authorities in managing the situation and ensuring the safety of all road users.