Fiery death crash Porsche was speeding close to 100km/h, say Hong Kong police
No alcohol or illegal drugs detected in tests on Cathay Pacific pilots killed in March incident
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 14 July, 2015, 3:12am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 14 July, 2015, 3:12am
Clifford Lo [email protected]
The wrecked Porsche coupe. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Investigations into a horrific crash that killed two pilots as their Porsche slammed into a flyover pillar and burst into flames in March showed the sports car was speeding at almost 100km/h at the time of the accident, according to police sources.
This was about two times the speed limit of 50km/h and one of the main contributing factors in the crash that happened in Container Port Road South in Kwai Chung, the sources said.
"We believe the driver was trying to show off his driving skills, but the sports car spun out of control," one source said.
It is understood that the site is popular among racers and those engaged in "drifting", an illegal stunt involving a high-speed skid on a corner.
The double fatality prompted police to mount a number of operations to crack down on road racing in the area in the past three months.
Another source said the speed was less than their original estimate. "Because the car shot into the air in the crash, we first thought it could be travelling as fast as 150km/h," he said.
The speed was established as police reconstructed the incident at the site with the support of government chemists.
Cathay Pacific pilot Ian Wong Yick, 27, who owned the Porsche Cayman S, was driving at the time of the crash that happened before dawn near the Kwai Chung container terminal on March 13. His colleague, Michael Tam Shiu-cheung, 28, left his BMW car and jumped into the two-seater sports car for a ride.
After running about 500 metres along Container Port Road South, the grey Porsche spun out of control and hit a raised flower bed under Tsing Sha Highway.
The slanted edge of the flower bed acted as a springboard for the car, making it shoot into the air. It flew about seven metres above the flower bed. Its roof then hit a highway pillar before it crashed down.
"The heavy impact when it landed on the flower bed prompted its fuel tank to explode. The car then burst into flames," the source said.
He said toxicological examinations showed the two men had not taken alcohol or illegal drugs.
It is understood Tam was a first officer with Cathay Pacific, while Wong was a second officer. The first officer is second-in-command under the captain and the second officer is one grade below.
The sources said police would compile a death report to be submitted to the Coroner's Court, which will then rule on whether an inquest will be held.
