THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1988
GOVERNOR COMMENDS EFFICIENCY OF OFFICERS IN
AIR CRASH RESCUE OPERATION
THE GOVERNOR TODAY (THURSDAY) HIGHLY COMMENDED THE EFFICIENT RESCUE OPERATION CARRIED OUT BY OFFICERS OF THE EMERGENCY UNITS AFTER AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A CAAC AIRCRAFT YESTERDAY.
DURING A VISIT TO THE AIRPORT FIRE STATION THIS AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID PERSONALLY EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO MEMBERS OF THE AIRPORT- BASED EMERGENCY UNITS INCLUDING THE POLICE, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT'S AIRFIELD SUPERVISORS.
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DESCRIBING THE ACCIDENT AS "A GREAT TRAGEDY" SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ALSO A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW EFFICIENTLY THE EMERGENCY SERVICES COULD OPERATE.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT THE SPEED OF THE REACTION HELPED TO SAVE A GREAT MANY LIVES, HE SAID.
ADDING
THE OPERATION,
THE GOVERNOR THANKED ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN
THAT "HONG KONG FEELS PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
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EARLIER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, ALSO
VISITED HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO TALK TO SOME OF WHO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE OPERATIONS.
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HE HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE ACTING AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER, MR WILLIAM HUTCHINGS, ON THE EXTENT OF DISRUPTION TO AIR TRAFFIC AND WAS TOLD THAT OPERATIONS HAD RETURNED TO NORMAL THIS MORNING.
MR JACOBS COMMENDED ALL THOSE WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN THE RESCUE OPERATIONS, AND WORKING LONG HOURS TO KEEP THE AIRPORT OPEN THROUGHOUT LAST NIGHT TO FACILITATE THE DEPARTURE OF DELAYED FLIGHTA.
HE LATER INSPECTED THE SITE OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE WRECKAGE, WHICH IS NOW PLACED ON A PIECE OF CROWN LAND ON KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
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