In the early hours of Sunday, a 79-year-old taxi driver was arrested in Hong Kong's North Point district after allegedly knocking down a 74-year-old woman with his vehicle, prompting police to charge him with suspicion of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The incident occurred shortly before 3am on Java Road, where the cabby was driving and struck the elderly woman as she crossed the street, according to police reports. The victim was discovered in a semi-conscious state at the scene.
Emergency services quickly responded, rushing the woman to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for urgent treatment. Her condition following the collision has not been detailed beyond her initial semi-conscious state upon discovery.
Following the accident, officers promptly arrested the 79-year-old driver, who is currently being held for questioning as investigations continue into the circumstances of the crash.
This arrest comes amid ongoing concerns over the safety of elderly drivers in Hong Kong, with authorities facing renewed calls for stricter health checks on older cabbies. Last year, a Filipino tourist was killed in a taxi driven by an 80-year-old driver, highlighting risks posed by aging motorists.
The fatal incident involving the 80-year-old cabby was part of a series of serious accidents linked to elderly drivers, fueling public and official demands for enhanced medical evaluations to ensure road safety.
