Police have arrested two people and are seeking witnesses to a fatal chain collision on the North Lantau Highway yesterday morning.

A 55-year-old man surnamed Leung died in the five-car accident after his taxi ploughed into the back of a vehicle that had just collided with another.

The driver was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital with serious head injuries but was certified dead shortly after, police said in a statement.

Three others sustained minor injuries and were treated at North Lantau Hospital.

The pile-up began at 6:05am in the Kowloon direction near Sunny Bay when a Mercedes driven by a 64-year-old woman reduced speed because of congestion ahead but collided with a red taxi driven by a 42-year-old male.

The Mercedes came to halt in an inside lane but was then struck by Leung’s taxi from behind, according to Apple Daily.

The impact sent the Mercedes to an adjacent lane where it was hit again by a green taxi and a light goods truck.

Police arrested the drivers of the taxi and Mercedes that had initially collided and charged them with dangerous driving.

The Mercedes driver was released on bail pending further enquiries, including whether she had activated her hazard warning lights, police said. The male taxi driver is still being detained.

It is the fifth fatal accident on North Lantau Highway since the beginning of 2016.

At its meeting this afternoon, the Islands District Council traffic committee has scheduled a discussion on the recent spate of accidents on the freeway, including three within 41 minutes last month.

Anyone who has information is urged to contact the the special traffic investigation team on 3661 1300 or 3661 1348.

Photo (top): Apple Daily photo of accident scene