A 69-year-old Sha Tin village chief died in a cliff fall at Kau Nga Ling in South Lantau yesterday.

Lau Houming, the head of Sun Tin village, died of head injuries after falling 30 metres.

The Government Flying Service sent two helicopters but he was declared deceased at the scene, Apple Daily reported.

Lau was in a party of 16 that began climbing from Shek Pik. At about 1.30 pm, as they began descending toward Tong Fuk, Lau lost his footing and fell down the slope.

The GFS service said it had to despatch two helicopters to carry the large rescue team – four civil aid staff, a doctor, nurses and flight crew.

Because of the difficult location the rescue helicopter had to make several passes before paramedics could be winched down to the scene.

The hike up Kau Ngau Ling (literally ‘dog teeth ridge’), which lies roughly between Lantau Peak and Shek Pik, is rated as 5-star difficulty.

Photo ( top): Government Flying Service