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

The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, today (July 10) extended his deepest condolences to family members of all the school staff and students killed and injured in a fatal traffic accident on Tuen Mun Road in the morning.

Professor Li tonight visited the injured admitted to Yan Chai Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital and Caritas Medical Centre.

"I am saddened by reports that the accident has so far claimed the lives of three school staff and injured ten others as well as another nine-year-old school girl," he said.

Professor Li expressed his most heartfelt condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the accident and wished the injured speedy recovery.

Educational psychologists and school development officers of the Education and Manpower Bureau have maintained close contact with the schools concerned to assist them in providing counseling services for staff and students.

End/Thursday, July 10, 2003

NNNN