Two HK Tourists Injuried In Hokkaido Car Crash

Two Hong Kong tourists were admitted to hospital in Hokkaido on Monday after their rental car crashed into a tunnel wall in the popular Japanese winter tourism destination.

The pair, reportedly in their twenties, are receiving treatment at hospital for injuries that are not said to be life-threatening .

According to Japanese media, the incident happened at around 1pm Monday, when the pair were in a rented private car travelling along a highway towards Obihiro in Hokkaido. Reports say that on entering a tunnel, the car veered into the opposite traffic lane and hit a wall.

It is understood that the male driver was in a coma when he was taken to the hospital, while the female passenger reported pain. The front of the car was damaged.

Japanese police believe the accident happened when the car hit a frozen stretch of road near the tunnel entrance. Their investigations are continuing.

The Immigration Department on Tuesday said it had not received any request for help so far, but it had reached out to the Commissioner’s Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong and the Chinese Consulate in Sapporo.

Meanwhile, the president of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, Ringo Lee, said motorists should use the right equipment and slow down when driving in snowy conditions.

"If you have a chance, when driving in the snow, try to rent a four-wheel-drive car with snow tires. Always brake gently, and maintain a great braking distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you," he told RTHK.

Lee also urged people to avoid driving in the snow if they're unfamiliar with such conditions. Weather forecasts showed that there may be snowfall in the coming days in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima, all popular destinations for Hong Kong people.