Hong Kong tram accident that killed girl, 3, was ‘inevitable’, court hears

A tram accident in Hong Kong that led to the death of a three-year-old girl and injuries to three others was “inevitable”, as the driver only had 0.9 seconds to react upon realising the danger, a court heard.

Li Yaodong, 49, was tried in Eastern Court on Monday for alleged unsafe driving outside Kennedy Town Swimming Pool on the morning of August 15, 2024.

According to security camera footage, the girl and her six-year-old sister, their grandfather, 66, and the family’s domestic helper were crossing Des Voeux Road West and stopped at a traffic island as the red light was on.

They took a step forward before they were hit by a tram in a split second.

The tram driver denied one count of careless driving, which carries a maximum penalty of a HK$5,000 (US$640) fine and a six-month jail term.

Li was first charged with causing death by dangerous driving, a more serious offence that is punishable by a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for 10 years.