Teenage exchange student airlifted from Lion Rock after falling ill during sunrise hike
A 17-year-old Singaporean exchange student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University was rescued by helicopter from Lion Rock on 10 October after falling severely ill during a sunrise hike. The Government Flying Service winched her to Ruttonjee Hospital.
A 17-year-old university exchange student was airlifted from Lion Rock on the morning of 10 October after falling severely ill during a sunrise hike, according to emergency services and an interview with Sing Tao Headline, sister publication of The Standard.
Emergency services were alerted shortly before 7am after the teenager, a Singaporean national enrolled at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, became severely unwell near the mountain summit. Rescue crews mobilised at Lion Rock Country Park in Wong Tai Sin, and the Government Flying Service deployed a rescue helicopter to winch the ailing teenager aboard before flying her to Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai for medical attention.
The student told Sing Tao Headline that she had set out from Tsz Wan Shan around 5am with two female classmates, hoping to reach the iconic ridge in time to watch the sunrise. It was her first attempt hiking Lion Rock, and she admitted the group had set off without adequate preparation or warm clothing.
After spending roughly an hour exposed to the elements at the windy peak, she was overcome by intense cold and began shivering violently before suffering severe bouts of vomiting. Her companion promptly called family members, who then alerted the police to dispatch emergency assistance.