South China Morning Post
Monday, September 13, 1999

Two hikers die as temperatures soar
LYDIA HO

Two hikers died of suspected heatstroke yesterday as high temperatures and severe air pollution blanketed Hong Kong with grey smog.

Ho Fong-shun, 38, felt faint while hiking near Tung Tau Chau, close to the Plover Cove Reservoir in Tai Po, at about 2pm.

A friend rang for help and Ho, an Agriculture and Fisheries Department worker, was taken to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital where he was certified dead at 3.27pm.

Pang Chiu-wah, 31, was taken ill while on the MacLehose Trail near Long Ke in Sai Kung East Country Park. He was airlifted to Eastern Hospital but certified dead at 4.22pm.

Last night, a third hiker, Kong Wing-fai, 24, was in critical condition and five others were in stable condition at Eastern Hospital.

A doctor said signs of heatstroke could include tiredness, lack of strength, headache and dizziness but could rapidly degenerate into a full-blown stroke and cause death if untreated.

"The body loses the ability to ventilate and lose heat. Rising body temperature causes damage to the brain and other vital organs," said Medical Association vice-president Lo Wing-lok.
The highest temperature recorded yesterday was 36 degrees Celsius at Ta Kwu Ling. In Sai Kung, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun, temperatures of 35 degrees were recorded.

On August 21, 35.1 degrees was recorded by the Observatory - the highest for nine years.

Hong Kong's hottest day was reported on August 18, 1990, at 36.1 degrees Celsius.

A peak air pollution index reading of 124 was recorded at Tung Chung yesterday afternoon by a general station, while roadside stations recorded high readings throughout the day.