HONG KONG, June 21 — Police and fire rescue teams launched a sustained search operation overnight in Kwun Tong after a 70-year-old man with cognitive impairment went missing, complicating efforts when the personal tracking device he carried suddenly stopped transmitting. The man, a resident of Sau Wo House in Sau Mau Ping Estate, disappeared yesterday evening, prompting his wife to alert authorities around 7 p.m.
The crisis began when the elderly man contacted his wife seeking help, but due to his condition, he could not clearly articulate his location, generating significant alarm. Fortunately, he was equipped with a GPS tracker provided through the “Smart Locator Programme” (智蹤計劃), a joint initiative by the Hong Kong Police Force and social welfare organizations aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals.
Family members quickly supplied the device’s details to the police, initially pinpointing the location near the hillside surrounding the Fook Tak Pak Kung Temple on Lee On Road.
Rescue personnel mobilized and arrived at the designated search area shortly before 2 a.m. today. However, upon reaching the site, police confirmed that the tracking signal immediately ceased transmission. Authorities speculate the device may have run out of battery power or been lost by the missing man, substantially escalating the difficulty of the rescue mission.
Overnight Search Intensifies
Emergency services, including fire crews and police officers, immediately initiated an extensive, round-the-clock sweep of the steep, densely vegetated hillside. As morning broke, the search parameters were significantly expanded beyond the last registered location. As of press time, the search operation remains active, involving multiple teams working tirelessly to locate the missing senior.
This incident underscores the double-edged challenge faced by caregivers and authorities when managing individuals prone to wandering. While tracking technology offers a critical early warning system, its reliability remains contingent on power and physical maintenance.
The Smart Locator Programme, launched in April 2022 in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department and local social service agencies, provides smartphone-linked tracking devices to individuals diagnosed with dementia and those with intellectual disabilities. The goal is to allow caregivers to quickly ascertain a person’s whereabouts during an elopement incident, thereby mitigating the serious risks associated with prolonged exposure or wandering into unsafe areas.
Protecting Vulnerable Residents
Experts emphasize that while such technology is invaluable, it should be paired with robust procedural safeguards.
“A tracker offers a vital window of time, but caregivers must prioritize checking battery levels daily and ensuring the device is securely attached,” noted Dr. Elaine Wong, a specialist in elderly care technology. “For individuals with advanced dementia, wandering can be erratic and rapid, demanding immediate activation of search protocols once a person is confirmed missing.”
The extensive search effort highlights the high priority placed by the government and community organizations on the safety of Hong Kong’s aging population. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the missing man to contact the Sau Mau Ping Police Station immediately. This ongoing case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for consistent maintenance and care for the technological tools designed to protect the city’s most vulnerable residents.
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