Hiker dies on Tai Po trail in record heat
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
A hiker in his sixties collapsed and died on the Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail in Tai Po on Sunday afternoon as Hong Kong endured unprecedented heat. The death came on the same day the Hong Kong Observatory recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature since records began in 1884.
Key Points
- Police said they received a report at 2.17pm that a man in his sixties was found unconscious on the Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail.
- Firefighters and rescue teams gathered at the reservoir dam before heading up the mountain, while the Government Flying Service was also dispatched.
- The man was later located but was pronounced dead at the scene, and the cause of death has not yet been determined.
- The Hong Kong Observatory said temperatures reached 36.7 degrees Celsius earlier in the day and rose to 36.9 degrees after 2pm.
- The record-breaking heat was linked to subsiding airflow associated with Severe Typhoon Dolphin, with extreme conditions expected to last until midweek.
Why It Matters
The death underscores the risks of outdoor activity during periods of exceptional heat, especially on exposed country trails. With the extreme temperatures expected to persist until midweek, heat safety is likely to remain an immediate concern for hikers and other outdoor workers or visitors.