A 67-year-old taxi driver was killed after a private car hit him while he was checking his taxi’s flat tire on a roadside in Tseung Kwan O on Sunday morning, according to police.

Police officers arrested the 35-year-old man driving the private vehicle for dangerous driving causing death after the taxi driver was certified dead at the Tseung Kwan O Hospital.

Investigators said police received a report of the incident at around 5:40 am. The taxi driver had pulled over along Wan Po Road near the Hong Kong Velodrome Park and got out to check a flat rear tire.

The private car, driving towards the direction of Kowloon, reportedly failed to brake in time, hitting the driver, who was standing behind his taxi, local media reported.       

Police officers rushed to the scene and firemen had to rescue the taxi driver, who was trapped under the private car, investigators said.

With serious multiple injuries, the taxi driver was rushed unconscious to Tseung Kwan O Hospital and was certified dead at 6:58 am, police said.

Police added that the private car driver is being detained for inquiries while the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon East is conducting an investigation.