Two Cathay Pacific pilots killed in Porsche crash in Hong Kong
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 12 March, 2015, 8:42am
UPDATED : Thursday, 12 March, 2015, 3:11pm
Lai Ying Kit
Two Cathay Pacific pilots were killed when their sports car careered off the road. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Two Cathay Pacific pilots were killed in the early hours of this morning when the sports car they were driving in careered off the road, crashed into a flyover and burst into flames.
The men were employed by the airline and were both aged 27 according to a police commander at the scene.
The crash, at 4.40am, occurred on Container Port Road South near Hong Kong's Container Terminal, said Inspector Ma Wai-hung, from New Territories South's special investigation team.
The men were trapped in the blazing wreckage, police said. Photo: SCMP Pictures
He said the men had been trapped in the blazing wreckage, adding that their bodies were already badly burnt when paramedics arrived at the scene.
A Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said: "We are deeply saddened by the news. Our sincerest condolences to the families of our two pilots. We will provide all the necessary support and assistance during this difficult period."
Detectives said the pair had spent the hours immediately before the crash chatting with three friends nearby. The accident happened as they drove away, police said.
Ma said a 2.5 metre-long tyre mark was found on the road and that detectives would be trying to determine the car's speed and whether the driver braked abruptly.
Firemen and policemen clear the debris at the crash site. Photo: SCMP Pictures
"The 2.5m mark is relatively short," he said.
No traces of alcholic drinks were found in the car or the area where they had earlier met their friends, Ma said. He added investigators would look into whether the driver, who was also the car owner, had been suffering from any illness.
Government forensics experts were on Thursday morning examing the wreckage.
Two people put flowers at the crash area near Hong Kong's Container Terminal. Photo: Dickson Lee
