Hong Kong Taxi Passengers Halt Runaway Cab After Driver Faints on Ching Cheung Road
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Dashcam footage has surfaced showing the moment four passengers took control of a runaway taxi in Cheung Sha Wan after the driver collapsed at the wheel. The incident occurred at approximately noon on September 28 as the taxi was travelling eastbound along Ching Cheung Road towards Kwun Tong near Nob Hill Square. Police confirmed that the 66-year-old male driver lost consciousness while driving, leaving the vehicle without proper control for more than 30 seconds .
The video shows the driver wearing sunglasses with his head slumped forward, completely unresponsive, as the taxi veered dangerously from side to side. A male passenger in the front seat immediately patted the driver's arm while a female passenger repeatedly tapped his face in an effort to rouse him . When these attempts proved futile, the front passenger grabbed the steering wheel to guide the vehicle while a woman in the backseat leaned forward to pull the emergency brake .
The startled passengers managed to maneuver the vehicle as it scraped along the right-hand roadside barrier before coming to a stop with a blown-out front-right tire . The four occupants then exited the car uninjured and called for help. Police officers at the scene helped them hail another taxi to continue their journey .
Key Points
- The 66-year-old taxi driver lost consciousness while driving eastbound on Ching Cheung Road near Nob Hill Square on September 28
- Dashcam footage captures the vehicle drifting without proper control for approximately 30 seconds before passengers intervened
- Passengers attempted to wake the unconscious driver before a male front-seat passenger grabbed the steering wheel to guide the taxi
- A female passenger in the rear pulled the emergency brake as the taxi scraped along a roadside barrier, bursting the front-right tire
- The unconscious driver was transported to Caritas Medical Centre, where he remained in critical condition as of September 30
Why It Matters
This incident underscores the importance of driver health monitoring for professional taxi operators, who bear significant responsibility for passenger and public safety on Hong Kong's busy roads . The swift, coordinated response from the passengers highlights the potential for ordinary citizens to prevent disasters through calm, decisive action during emergencies .
This incident underscores the importance of driver health monitoring for professional taxi operators, who bear significant responsibility for passenger and public safety on Hong Kong's busy roads . The swift, coordinated response from the passengers highlights the potential for ordinary citizens to prevent disasters through calm, decisive action during emergencies .