An intersection in On Chee Road, Tai Po. Photo: Google Maps
An intersection in On Chee Road, Tai Po. Photo: Google Maps

A Filipino domestic worker died in a Hong Kong hospital four days after she was hit by a van in Tai Po in New Territories on November 25.

At 2:44pm on November 25, Geraldine Lupian Betasola, 36, who had reportedly worked for her employer for six years in Hong Kong, was crossing On Chee Road in Tai Po. She was suddenly hit by a speeding van – knocked unconscious and in critical condition. She was sent to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, Rappler reported.

The driver surnamed Kan was arrested after the accident and charged with “dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm,” sunwebhk.com reported.

The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong was notified about the accident. Betasola’s husband, Ricardo, and 16-year-old son, Kyle, were also notified through their local government unit Inabanga, Bohol, in the Philippines.

The father and son live in a rural area and have never traveled abroad. The government provided funds for them to fly to Hong Kong immediately.

“We are doing our best in giving full support to the family,” Inabanga Mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy told Rappler.

On November 27, the father and son flew to Manila to process their passport applications with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and secure a travel permit for Kyle from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In the Philippines, a minor traveling abroad with only one legitimate parent has to secure a travel permit from the DSWD. On November 29, 4:34pm, Betasola was pronounced dead. Her family arrived in Hong Kong just hours after she passed away.

In Hong Kong, the maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm is a fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,399) and seven years in jail.

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