Motorists traversing the Tsing Kwai Highway faced severe delays Monday morning following a serious single-vehicle collision near Mei Ching Road. The incident, which occurred just before noon, led to a partial closure of critical access points, prompting transport officials to warn drivers of significant traffic congestion heading toward Tsim Sha Tsui and the Western Harbour Crossing.
The accident took place at approximately 11:47 a.m. in the Tsim Sha Tsui-bound lanes. Initial reports indicate a light goods vehicle (LGV) veered off course and struck a roadside barrier. The impact was severe enough to render the male driver unconscious inside the vehicle.
Emergency Response and Medical Transfer
Swift action by emergency services was crucial. Fire department personnel and paramedics rapidly converged on the scene to secure the area and extricate the injured motorist from the wreckage. While details regarding his immediate condition were not immediately available, the unconscious driver was transported to Princess Margaret Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Investigations into the precise cause of the collision—including potential factors such as driver fatigue or mechanical failure—are underway.
The Transportation Department immediately issued an advisory warning drivers about the resulting traffic bottlenecks. To facilitate cleanup and ongoing emergency operations, authorities were forced to close the slip road that connects the Tsing Kwai Highway to the Lin Cheung Road roundabout, a primary artery leading directly to the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC).
Navigating the Traffic Disruptions
The partial closure significantly limited capacity on this vital link connecting the New Territories and Kowloon. Commuters relying on this route were urged to anticipate considerable backups and delays throughout the afternoon peak.
While the main highway remains operational, the loss of the slip road exit forces a major bottleneck onto the remaining lanes. For drivers heading toward West Kowloon and Hong Kong Island via the WHC, the Transport Department offered specific temporary advice:
- Adjust Departure Times: If possible, postpone travel through the area until traffic volume subsides.
- Utilize Remaining Lanes: Drivers must queue patiently to utilize the available connections toward Tsim Sha Tsui.
- Seek Alternatives: Consider diverting to alternative cross-harbour tunnels, such as the Cross-Harbour Tunnel or the Eastern Harbour Crossing, or utilizing public transport options like the MTR network, if their destination permits.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of Hong Kong’s major transport corridors to single events. Officials did not immediately provide an estimated time for the full reopening of the critical slip road, advising motorists to monitor the department’s real-time traffic updates for the latest information on clearance and flow restoration. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward as they piece together the sequence of events.