Collision Near Transport Plaza
A private car carrying both mainland and Hong Kong licence plates collided with a light rail train carrying passengers in Yuen Long on Thursday night, leaving a female passenger with lower back discomfort.
The crash occurred at about 7.39pm at the junction of Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long section, and Fung Cheung Road near Transport Plaza. The collision brought the light rail train to a stop and caused temporary disruption to traffic moving through the busy junction.
Photographs circulating online showed a white seven seater private car stopped inside the yellow box junction. The vehicle appeared to have sustained minor damage to the front right bumper area.
The light rail train stopped on the tracks along Fung Cheung Road, with several passengers visible inside the carriage.
Passenger Reports Lower Back Pain
A female passenger on the light rail train reported discomfort in her lower back following the collision.
Paramedics attended the scene and assessed the woman. She remained conscious and declined hospital treatment after being examined.
The private car driver and the light rail driver were both reportedly unharmed.
No other injuries were reported in the information available about the incident.
Traffic Disrupted After Crash
MTR staff attended the scene as authorities dealt with the collision. The incident temporarily affected traffic around the junction, with buses, minibuses, taxis and private cars forming queues.
The disruption occurred at a junction where road vehicles and light rail services operate in close proximity. Drivers approaching the area must observe traffic signals and road markings while also remaining alert to trains travelling along the light rail tracks.
The presence of the stationary train also affected the movement of vehicles through Fung Cheung Road as the incident was handled.
Police Examine Cause of Collision
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and have yet to establish the precise sequence of events.
Investigators are expected to examine CCTV footage from the area, light rail operating records and statements from witnesses. The evidence will help determine the position and direction of the private car, the movement of the light rail train and the traffic signals operating at the time.
The investigation will also consider whether the private car had permission to enter the junction when the collision occurred.
The exact cause of the crash has not been established.
Dual Licence Plates Draw Attention
The private car involved in the collision carried both mainland and Hong Kong licence plates.
However, the presence of dual licence plates does not by itself indicate why the crash occurred. Police will focus on the movements of the vehicles, traffic signals, road markings and other evidence gathered from the scene.
Images from the scene showed that the car suffered visible damage mainly around its front right bumper. The light rail train remained on its track following the collision.
Transport Department Issues Safety Reminder
The Transport Department has reminded motorists to follow traffic lights and road markings when driving near light rail junctions.
Drivers should also check the direction of approaching light rail trains before entering an intersection. They should not enter areas occupied by light rail tracks unless traffic signals or road signs allow them to do so.
At junctions where road traffic crosses light rail tracks, following the signal alone is not enough. Drivers also need to check the surrounding road conditions and ensure they can safely clear the crossing.
The Yuen Long collision has once again drawn attention to the need for motorists to remain alert around light rail crossings, particularly at busy junctions where road traffic and rail services share the same space.
Police will continue examining CCTV footage, operating records and witness accounts as they work to establish how the collision happened.
What steps should drivers take when approaching a light rail crossing in a busy junction?