Prosecution against Ngong Ping 360 Ltd and its former managing director
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    In response to media enquiries today (December 12) about further prosecutions against relevant parties in connection with the Ngong Ping cable car cabin dislodgement incident, a government spokesman said:

     "As regards the Ngong Ping cable car cabin dislodgement incident, the Department of Justice has initiated legal action against relevant parties, after considering the investigation information submitted by the Electrical and Mechanical Servies Department.

     Yesterday (December 11), the Judiciary issued two summonses to the relevant parties.  Details of the charges are:

1) Ngong Ping 360 Ltd, formerly known as Skyrail-ITM (Hong Kong) Ltd, on June 11, 2007, in Hong Kong, negligently did or omitted to do something, namely, failing to provide to an officer(s) of the said company with necessary procedures and instructions to perform a brake test, in relation to an aerial ropeway, namely, 'Tung Chung Cable Car', and such act or omission was likely to render the said ropeway unsafe for persons in the vicinity of it.

2) Mr William Ayre Calderwood, on June 11, 2007, in Hong Kong, being a director of Ngong Ping 360 Ltd, formerly known as Skyrail-ITM (Hong Kong) Ltd. ('the company'), has committed an offence under section 23A of the Aerial Ropeways (Safety) Ordinance, Cap. 211, in that the said company has committed the said offence, namely, the said company, on June 11, 2007, in Hong Kong, negligently did or omitted to do something, namely failing to provide to an officer(s) of the said company with necessary procedures and instructions to perform a brake test, in relation to an aerial ropeway, namely, 'Tung Chung Cable Car', and such act or omission was likely to render the said ropeway unsafe for persons in the vicinity of it.

     In order not to prejudice the legal proceedings, it is inappropriate to release any further details."

Ends/Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:15

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