17-Year-Old PolyU Exchange Student Rescued After Falling Ill on Lion Rock Sunrise Hike
HK01 · 4 SOURCES12 minutes ago2 MIN
Summary
A 17-year-old Singaporean exchange student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was rescued by helicopter from Lion Rock on Saturday morning after falling ill during a pre-dawn hike with two friends to watch the sunrise. The incident occurred as the group attempted to reach the summit in darkness, with the young woman beginning to feel cold and nauseous approximately one hour after setting out from Tsz Wan Shan. Following her deterioration, her companions contacted her mother, who immediately notified emergency services at 6:51am. The Government Flying Service responded by deploying a helicopter, which successfully hoisted the victim from the mountainside to the Wan Chai helipad, where she was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Ruttonjee Hospital for medical assessment.
Key Points
- The three hikers, all PolyU students, departed from Tsz Wan Shan at approximately 5am on Saturday to climb Lion Rock for sunrise viewing
- About one hour into the hike, the 17-year-old Singaporean exchange student began feeling extremely cold and subsequently vomited
- The victim's companions called her mother for assistance, who reported the emergency to police at 6:51am on October 10
- Government Flying Service deployed a helicopter which successfully hoisted the victim from the mountain to Wan Chai helipad
- Upon arrival at Ruttonjee Hospital, the patient reported that her discomfort had subsided and her body temperature had returned to normal
Why It Matters
This incident underscores the growing popularity of pre-dawn hiking among young people seeking to catch sunrise views at Hong Kong's iconic peaks, despite the inherent physical risks involved. The successful air rescue operation by the Government Flying Service highlights the critical importance of maintaining robust emergency response capabilities in remote hill areas, particularly as more hikers attempt challenging trails before daylight. The case also serves as a reminder that inadequate preparation—such as insufficient warm clothing or failure to assess physical fitness—can quickly transform a recreational outing into a life-threatening situation.
This incident underscores the growing popularity of pre-dawn hiking among young people seeking to catch sunrise views at Hong Kong's iconic peaks, despite the inherent physical risks involved. The successful air rescue operation by the Government Flying Service highlights the critical importance of maintaining robust emergency response capabilities in remote hill areas, particularly as more hikers attempt challenging trails before daylight. The case also serves as a reminder that inadequate preparation—such as insufficient warm clothing or failure to assess physical fitness—can quickly transform a recreational outing into a life-threatening situation.