Hong Kong bus crash leaves 15 dead

A tour bus went out of control and crashed in Hong Kong today, killing at least 15 people and injuring 49.

Police said they had arrested the driver.

The bus was carrying about 65 passengers when it lost control while going down a slope, then crashed and overturned at a roundabout in the suburban Sai Kung district, acting police superintendent Ho Chak-kan said at the scene

The bus driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death, Mr Ho said.

Mr Ho said the bus was supposed to carry a maximum of only 55 people.

“We’re still investigating the cause of the accident. We will look at whether it was due to speeding or whether there was anything wrong with the parts of the bus,” he said.

Mr Ho said all of the victims who died were women.

Footage from Hong Kong Cable TV showed most passengers were elderly.

The broadcast also quoted the driver as saying the brakes were not working when the accident happened.