A senior inspector of the Hong Kong police is fighting for his life after falling ill following a diving test to join the elite “Flying Tigers” squad in waters off Lamma Island.
The 31‑year‑old officer was taking part in the advanced selection test for the Special Duties Unit, known as the Flying Tigers, which involved diving, swimming and underwater tasks at noon on Thursday, a police spokesman said.
Shortly after completing a dive from a height of 8.5 metres (27.9 feet), he became unwell and lost consciousness. He was rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung, where he underwent emergency brain surgery.
The officer, an instructor at the Police Tactical Unit’s headquarters, remains in intensive care in a critical condition.
The spokesman said late on Thursday that the officer had served in the force for nine years.
The force extended its deepest sympathies to the officer’s family and would provide all possible help and support, the spokesman said.
“The safety of our personnel has always been our top priority. The selection process has been immediately suspended and a review launched to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” the spokesman added.
Members of the Flying Tigers are always masked when conducting missions, and their identities are kept secret from family and friends to prevent any operational leaks or revenge attacks.
The unit was established in 1974 to conduct high-risk counterterrorism operations, with the decision prompted by the Munich Olympics massacre two years prior, when 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian terrorist group Black September.
The unit received support from Britain’s Special Air Service to help boost its training, tactics and equipment in 1978.
It differs from other elite police squads because of its “hell week” selection round, which sees candidates undertake physically demanding tasks with minimal rest while carrying equipment and supplies.
The first 48 hours of hell week require candidates to complete intense fitness tests before undergoing group challenges and activities that screen out anyone afraid of heights or water.
Towards the end of the selection week, potential recruits are formed into teams to conduct a counterterrorism simulation that tests their communication and strategic skills, with officer-grade candidates expected to showcase their leadership capabilities.
The number of members in the unit has not been publicly disclosed, but archival Post reports suggest around 100 members were on constant standby as of 2014. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
