**************************************

Police are appealing for information on the death of a taxi driver who sustained minor injuries in a traffic accident but died after being treated and discharged from the Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) last Sunday (April 30).

At about 4.30 am, a taxi travelling along the northbound carriageway of Garden Road, Central, reportedly ran out of control near 3 Garden Road and rammed to the roadside embankment.

Sustaining head and knee injuries, the 41-year-old driver was sent to QMH where he was treated and discharged at about 6 am.

At about 6.10 am, the man was found collapsed near a taxi stand outside the main block of the hospital. He was taken in unconscious state to QMH where he was certified dead at about 9.30 am.

A post-mortem conducted this (May 2) morning revealed that the man sustained multiple injuries. The cause of his death has yet to be established pending toxicological examination.

The case is now being investigated by the District Crime Squad, Western, after suspicious circumstances were detected surrounding his death.

Initial investigations revealed that the man was seen lingering outside the main block of QMH shortly before he was found unconscious. Anyone who has information to offer is urged to contact investigating officers on 2859 4200 and 2859 4272.

Police Report No. 4

Issued by PPRB

End/ 2300hrs, Tuesday, May 2, 2000 (MH)

NNNN