Cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong, killing two airport staff

Plane said to have deviated from runway after landing, hitting security patrol car

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Emergency personnel near the cargo plane lying partially in the sea after it veered off the runway during landing at Hong Kong International Airport on Oct 20. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the crash, with weather, runway conditions, the aircraft and aircrew part of the probe. PHOTO: REUTERS

(REUTERS)

Two members of Hong Kong airport's security staff were killed early on Oct 20 after a cargo plane from Dubai skidded off the runway on landing, collided with their security patrol vehicle and pushed it into the sea, the city’s airport operator said.

The Boeing 747 involved in the deadliest airport incident in the financial hub in more than 25 years also fell into the water and was partially submerged, but all four crew members on board escaped.

The two security staff members were not breathing when rescued from the water, with one confirmed dead at the scene and another later at hospital, said Mr Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations at Airport Authority Hong Kong.

The accident at the world’s busiest cargo airport involved a plane operated by Turkish freight carrier ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, the Dubai-based airline said in a statement.