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Police bravery lauded with
lives saved in airport crash
Commendations have been pouring in for the courage and professionalism of Police who helped save the lives of the passengers and crew involved in last month's China Airlines crash at Chek Lap Kok.
Government officials, legislators, the Airport Authority and survivors of the ill-fated Flight CI642 have sent letters of thanks and publicly praised Police and other departments involved in the August 22 rescue.
Fire services and police officers were on the scene immediately after the MD-11 aircraft flipped on to its roof off the airport's southern runway about 6.45 pm that evening, amidst the fury of Typhoon Sam.
They risked their lives to quickly pull passengers and crew from the flaming wreckage. The seriously injured were whisked to nearby hospitals, while other traumatised survivors were escorted to the Regal Airport Hotel and cared for by officers.
 Chaotic conditions: SIP Dave Bennett and SSGT Tsang Siu-ping retrace their route through the flipped wreck from which they helped save passengers and crew |
Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on applauded the work of officers involved, saying their quick response prevented what could have easily been a much higher casualty count.
"The fact that the incident was handled in such an efficient manner was due in no small part to the devotion and professionalism displayed by officers who worked at the forefront as well as those in a support role," Mr Hui said.
"I would like to congratulate and thank all officers involved in this highly successful rescue operation."
A blaze erupted in areas of the plane and police officers worked frantically with fire services officers to pull injured and delirious passengers from the crumpled wreckage amid driving wind and rain and poor visibility.
Several police officers suffered electric shocks from exposed live wires and minor burns but never relented their rescue efforts fearing an explosion at any second.
A host of police officers, including those from the Airport Security Unit, Uniform and Traffic Branches, Police Tactical Unit, Emergency Unit and District Investigation Team, also arrived quickly to assist .
Their work included:
Airport District Commander James Wong Ka-sing, who acted as Field Commander at the scene, said: "The situation was different to anything we could have imagined as it occurred in the middle of a typhoon and came without warning. However, we were prepared for such a scenario and that's why officers moved so swiftly. I can say that police officers, and those of other emergency services did their very best in extremely difficult conditions."
Airport Deputy District Commander Steve Wordsworth, who headed operations in the reception lounge, said officers were not only brave in risking death in the rescue, but exceptionally professional in their treatment and assistance to injured and distraught survivors.
"I was extremely proud of our officers who took hold of shaken and traumatised survivors and comforted and did what they could for them. They did the right thing.
"They also did a top job in the recovery of property from the wreckage and the scene.
"A huge area of debris and personal belongings, the size of a football pitch, was scattered around the aircraft."
New Territories South Regional Commander Keith Braithwaite personally visited and thanked the ASU officers in the days after the crash saying their bravery met "the highest traditions of the Force".
"As has been highlighted by the CE and the CP, the overall response and professionalism displayed by all duties involved in any way with this incident has been commendable."
A survivor and the Airport Authority also applauded the Police effort.