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The Commissioner of Police has called for a special report on the death of an 18-year-old man who collapsed in Sheung Shui Police Station and was later certified dead in hospital last Saturday (March 20).

The report, to be submitted also to the Coroner who will then decide if a death inquest is to be convened in accordance with Coroners Ordinance, will be compiled by Regional Commander, New Territories North, Mr Ng Wai-kit, and is expected to be completed in two months.

Speaking at a press conference today (Monday), Mr Ng said Police had attached great importance to the case which aroused much public concern.

He said that some of the media reports, though based on the observations of the deceased's family, had speculated on the possible cause of death.

"The report will include findings of thorough and impartial investigations by Regional Crime Unit, New Territories North, which will look at minute details of the circumstances surrounding the death.

"No suspicious circumstances were detected in our investigations so far," he said.

An autopsy was carried out by the Pathologist of the Forensic Pathology Service which is independent from the Police Force.

Initial findings of the examination revealed that the deceased suffered no external or internal injuries that could have led to his death.

"There are also no signs indicating that the deceased had violent bodily contacts with anybody just before his death and the cause of death has yet to be ascertained," Mr Ng said.

The man was taken to Sheung Shui Police Station at 9.15 pm last Friday (March 19), where he was detained in a cell alone to await his appearance in court on the following day as the court warrant issued for his arrest did not permit him to be bailed out.

He has been checked by Police officers at a 25-minute-interval according to the proper procedures for keeping a prisoner in custody.

"Police were only executing a court warrant against him and there was no need for further enquiries in connection with his theft charge," he said.

In response to media reports which said the family had requested an independent medical examiner be commissioned to examine the body of the deceased, Mr Ng said Police had contacted the Coroner's office on the issue.

"According to procedures of the Coroner's Court, post-mortem in such circumstances must be conducted by a Government pathologist.

"But the Coroner did not reject the suggestion of having the family's own doctor to examine the body and we are now liaising with the family on this matter," Mr Ng added.

Police Report No.4

Issued by PPRB

End/ 2015 hr, Monday, March 22, 1999 (AI/TL)

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