The scattered huts between Sunset Peak and Yi Tung Shan high above Pui O on Lantau

The Mui Wo mountaineers! Is Everest next?

Lantau South officers braved the island's steep and slippery slopes recently to ensure a man's safety

On a dark and drizzly night in late May, a worried woman called Police about 8.30 pm asking for assistance. She said her boyfriend, alone in a small house between Yi Tung Shan and Sunset Peak, called her saying he saw about 10 suspected illegal immigrants knocking on the doors of huts there. Although he assured that he was safely locked inside, she felt uneasy.

Lantau South Assistant Divisional Commander Operations Chung Tai-keung and his seven team members then took to the hill to find the man and ensure his safety.

Challenge one: How to reach him

The remote location between Sunset Peak and Yi Tung Shan was only accessible on foot through rugged mountain paths.

Helicopter was the quickest way there but heavy fog hampered a safe landing at the site. They instead choppered on to the nearest hill, Lin Fa Shan, and jumped off there.

"Conditions were bad enough, with poor visibility and slippery paths, but there may have been armed illegal immigrants around too, so we had to wear heavy bullet-proof vests, which made our movements even more difficult," SIP Chung said.

"We could only progress slowly and cautiously up and down the mountains with the help of torches, maps, a compass and a team member familiar with the terrain.

"I kept telephone contact with the man to ensure he was not in danger and reassured his girlfriend everything was under control.

"However, reception was poor and we could only communicate intermittently. I was anxious to reach him as soon as possible, but on the other hand concerned about the safety of my team-mates.

"We finally got there after two hours, but it still took some time to locate him due to the fog. There was a great feeling of relief when we finally found him."

SIP Chung then received word that officers at Nam Shan had intercepted about 10 youngsters fitting the description, however they were not IIs. He and his team then began their journey home.

Challenge two:

Returning to Mui Wo

With a helicopter unable to land,the team descended Sunset Peak for two hours to Pak Kung Au where they could get a Police vehicle back to the station.

"The return journey was even more exhausting but knowing the man was safe, we could concentrate on the narrow and slippery paths," SIP Chung said.

"The rural and tactical Force training we received helped us a lot on this assignment. Although a false alarm, it was the right move to try to locate the man as ensuring the safety of the public is the prime concern of Police."

SIP Chung and the team were happy to receive thank you letters from the man and his girlfriend, adding that co-operation and teamspirit of his troop ensured the operation was smooth and safe.

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