Lucky escape for boy, 7, after wheel comes off KMB double-decker bus in Hong Kong

A seven-year-old boy narrowly avoided serious injury after a rear wheel detached from a KMB double-decker bus on a busy street in Hong Kong's Kowloon district on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3:25 p.m. local time when the bus, operating under route 86, was traveling along Cheung Sha Wan Road toward Kwai Chung. The wheel came loose just outside Cheung Sha Wan Plaza, striking a metal railing nearby. The force of the impact sent debris flying, one piece of which struck the boy while he was waiting for a bus. According to police reports, the boy remained conscious following the accident and expressed discomfort in his left thigh. He was promptly transported to Caritas Medical Centre for evaluation and treatment. His condition has since been described as stable, though the extent of his injuries has not been fully disclosed. The boy's family was not immediately available for comment. The driver of the bus, identified only by his surname Leung, was 49 years old at the time of the incident. Police confirmed that Leung passed an alcohol test administered after the accident. Despite the wheel being completely detached, Leung reportedly continued driving the bus for approximately 200 meters, about 656 feet, before pulling over. This raised questions among witnesses and officials regarding the driver's awareness of the malfunction. KMB, the company operating the bus, released a statement confirming that Leung had conducted a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle and found no issues before beginning his route. A spokesperson for KMB told the South China Morning Post that the company would investigate the incident further and cooperate with authorities. However, the exact cause of the wheel detachment has yet to be determined. Cheung Sha Wan Road is a major thoroughfare in the area, known for heavy traffic during peak hours. The location of the incident, near Cheung Sha Wan Plaza, added to concerns about public safety, particularly for children who often gather in such areas. Local residents expressed relief that no more severe injuries were reported. Some questioned whether the bus should have been taken out of service immediately after the wheel failure. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Transport department officials are expected to review maintenance records and conduct inspections of similar vehicles operated by KMB. The police have not ruled out the possibility of mechanical failure or human error contributing to the incident. The incident has drawn attention to ongoing discussions about the safety of older double-decker buses in Hong Kong. Critics have long pointed to the aging fleet as a potential risk factor, especially given the high volume of daily commuters using these routes. While KMB maintains that its vehicles undergo regular maintenance checks, incidents like this underscore the need for continuous scrutiny of transport infrastructure. In the wake of the accident, local community leaders called for increased oversight of public transportation systems. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed, including immediate reporting of any mechanical issues. Meanwhile, the boy's parents have requested privacy as they deal with the aftermath of the incident. As the investigation continues, officials are expected to release more information about the findings related to the bus's condition prior to the incident. In the meantime, the focus remains on ensuring that such accidents remain rare and that appropriate measures are taken to prevent future occurrences. The boy's recovery is currently the primary concern for his family and medical staff.