2018 Hong Kong bus accident

Kowloon Motor Bus

Industry	Public transport
Headquarters	Hong Kong , Hong Kong
Products	Bus services

On 10 February 2018, around 18:13 HKT, a double-decker bus operated by Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) overturned on Tai Po Road in the Tai Po area of the New Territories. This accident resulted in 19 fatalities and left 65 individuals injured.

Referred to as the 872 accident (), named after the bus route involved, it ranks as the second deadliest road traffic disaster in Hong Kong’s history, following a 2003 crash on Tuen Mun Road that claimed 21 lives.

In July 2020, the driver responsible was sentenced to 14 years in prison and had his driving license revoked due to his role in the incident.

Accident Details

The vehicle involved was a Volvo Super Olympian model with Wright Explorer bodywork, fleet number AVW78 and registration LX 9991. It was operating route 872, a special service that runs on horse racing days between Sha Tin Racecourse and Tai Po Centre.

Before setting off, the driver engaged in conversation with a bus enthusiast. The bus departed from the racecourse approximately ten minutes behind schedule, which led some passengers to express their dissatisfaction toward the driver. Reports suggest that this provoked frustration, causing him to accelerate excessively and fail to reduce speed when approaching curves.

While descending a bend near Tai Po Mei village on Tai Po Road, the bus toppled onto its left side, colliding with a lamp post and destroying the Tai Po Mei bus stop. Eighteen passengers died instantly at the scene.

Immediate Aftermath

Following the crash, several passengers attempted to confront the driver physically. Rescue teams from fire services had to cut into the vehicle to free those trapped inside—a rescue operation that lasted approximately 85 minutes. Authorities established a temporary morgue by the roadside.

The death toll increased to 19 after an additional victim succumbed at United Christian Hospital at 4:00 am the next day. Aside from this fatality, 65 people sustained injuries.

Tai Po Road remained closed for about twelve hours post-accident, with alternative bus routes redirected via Tolo Highway. Partial road closures were reinstated the following afternoon to facilitate a memorial service attended by roughly 200 mourners, government representatives, and KMB officials.

Kowloon Motor Bus Actions

KMB issued a statement on their Facebook page expressing profound sorrow and regret over the tragedy while offering apologies. The company committed to providing HK$80,000 in compensation to each family affected and established a committee to conduct an internal investigation.

On 15 February 2018, in response to concerns from unions and the public, KMB ceased assigning shifts to part-time drivers working less than 18 hours per week—approximately 209 out of 360 part-time staff—and temporarily halted recruitment of new part-time drivers.

Service for route 872 recommenced on 18 February using only single-decker buses to reassure passengers. Additionally, a new express route designated 872X was launched, bypassing Tai Po Road by utilizing Tolo Highway instead.

In light of this event, The Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong's Franchised Bus Service reported that KMB had considered investing HK$200 million in retrofitting older buses with seatbelts as a safety enhancement. The company also trialed anti-drowsiness technology employing facial recognition systems to monitor driver vigilance. Moreover, by August 2018, KMB planned to deploy 160 buses equipped with electronic stability control and speed limiting devices. To further improve safety standards, maximum driver shift lengths were reduced from fourteen hours to thirteen hours.

Hong Kong government

In the aftermath of the incident, Chief Executive Carrie Lam visited those injured at Prince of Wales Hospital and announced the establishment of a judicial-led commission of inquiry to examine public transportation safety, with an emphasis on bus operations. She also revealed compensation packages for victims' families: HK$300,000 for each fatality and between HK$150,000 and HK$250,000 for those injured. These funds were provided by charitable bodies such as the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Yan Chai Hospital, and Pok Oi Hospital.

The government ordered flags to be flown at half-mast and decided to cancel the annual Lunar New Year fireworks display over Victoria Harbour on 17 February as a sign of respect and mourning.

On 13 March 2018, Mr Justice Michael Lunn, Vice President of the Court of Appeal, was named chairperson of the three-member commission of inquiry.

Unions

The day following the crash, the Motor Transport Workers General Union, affiliated with the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, criticized KMB’s labor conditions, highlighting issues such as low wages leading to driver shortages, insufficient training programs, and inadequate rest periods. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions organized a protest outside KMB’s headquarters to draw attention to poor pay. Kwok Wai-kwong, chairman of the KMB Staff Union, condemned the employment of part-time drivers who received only two days of training compared to 18 days for full-time employees. Subsequently, driver Yip Wai Lam led an impromptu strike involving several drivers, which compelled KMB to enter negotiations regarding working hours and employment conditions.

Public

In response to the tragedy, thousands of Hong Kong residents lined up for extended periods at Hong Kong Red Cross blood donation centers to support those injured. The Causeway Bay Donor Centre extended its operating hours, and the Red Cross kept 12 centers open throughout the Lunar New Year holiday to accommodate increased demand.

Driver

Chan Ho-ming, a 30-year-old part-time bus driver employed by KMB since 2014 and primarily working special routes on weekends since 2017, survived the crash but was arrested on charges of dangerous driving causing death and serious injury. He appeared before Fanling Magistrates' Court on 13 February 2018, where bail was denied and he was remanded in custody. In October, his charges were elevated to multiple counts of manslaughter carrying a possible life sentence.

KMB initially stated that Chan had an "excellent driving record," was familiar with the route involved in the crash, and had been well-rested before his shift. However, media investigations uncovered that he had been involved in a previous KMB bus accident in Kwai Chung in August 2014 which caused injuries and resulted in a conviction for careless driving. Despite this history, KMB considered him fit for duty. Chan was also recognized as a bus enthusiast but reportedly exhibited poor driving habits.

In 2020, Chan pleaded guilty to 19 counts of manslaughter alongside 19 counts of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm. The magistrate condemned his blatant disregard for passenger safety. On 7 July 2020, he received a 14-year prison sentence and was permanently disqualified from driving.

Investigation

Immediately following the accident, passengers informed local media that the bus appeared to be traveling at excessive speed. Police investigations also suspected speeding but ruled out alcohol consumption as a factor.

One passenger estimated the vehicle’s speed at . Investigator Lo Kok-keung assessed that the bus entered the curve at speeds reaching , whereas a safe speed for that bend would have been .

The damaged bus was removed on 11 February and transported to Tai Lam Chung for detailed examination. Police inquiries focused on factors including speed, mechanical integrity, and the driver’s mental condition at the time. The Regional Crime Unit for New Territories North led the investigation.

See also

• Bus services in Hong Kong
• Transport in Hong Kong