On the evening of August 23, the driver of a suspicious private car being intercepted on Princess Margaret Road, Ho Man Tin tried to escape from encirclement by reversing at a high speed. An Emergency Unit (EU) officer was knocked down and trapped under the car. Footage of the scene was posted online subsequently. Seeing the injured colleague lying on the roadside, his teammates kept shouting, “Stay awake! Hang in there!”

Lam King-wai, who has joined EU of Kowloon West for less than a year, was the injured officer that evening. He has recovered and returned to duty now. His twin brother also serves the Force. They are known as “the Twins”.

Lam recounted that the suspicious car was trapped in the middle of the carriageway after rounds of crazy driving. As the driver refused to follow instruction, multiple officers knocked on the car windows with their batons in a bid to control him. “I wanted to cut in from behind to assist my colleagues as soon as possible. But the car reversed suddenly and knocked me down. I was trapped between two rear wheels. It was my instinct to survive so I curled up to avoid further injury. The gear around my waist, however, got stuck under the car.”

Fortunately, the car stopped after running into another vehicle at the back. When it rushed forward again, Lam was freed from the trap. He got up immediately and ran to the roadside. He felt severe pain in his sternum and could not move his neck. A doctor happened to pass by and immediately examined and provided first aid until the ambulance arrived.

Lam revealed an unforgettable moment in the medical treatment room when a nurse tried to cut his police uniform to examine his injuries. Instead, he attempted to take it off himself because the uniform was a symbol of the Force. He eventually had to comply with the medical staff’s instructions due to his serious injuries.

His professionalism was also demonstrated in his conversation with Commissioner Siu Chak-yee. When the Commissioner visited him in the hospital, the first thing Lam asked was “Was the suspect arrested in the end?” He was relieved only after he was told that the suspect was apprehended successfully and drugs were also found in the car. “Only at that moment did I truly feel that the mission was completed. Even though I was injured, it was worth it!”

After nearly two months of recuperation, Lam’s condition improved and he was able to return to work. Although his seniors suggested he take a desk job to adjust mentally and physically, Lam chose to return to the front line immediately. Lam admitted it was not surprising that after this injury, his family got worried and even asked if he would apply for a transfer to a civilian department. Yet Lam firmly refused. “As long as I am capable, I want to work on the front line until I am too weak to chase criminals. Only then will I make other plans!”

For his bravery and professionalism shown in the incident, Lam has been awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation (CPC). Lam emphasises that arresting culprits and protecting citizens are his duty. Receiving commendation is not only encouraging but also inspirational. “As a matter of fact, I have learnt from the incident and grown wiser. I will be more cautious so that my colleagues and family wouldn’t have to worry about me.”