When 4 people were killed after a boy fell into a remote Hong Kong village well

In 1981, residents of a worm-farming community were left devastated after a 14-year-old fell into a well and 3 of his rescuers perished

“The remote New Territories village of Ho Sheung Heung was silent yesterday – except for the weeping of seven young orphans and five fatherless children,” reported the South China Morning Post on August 8, 1981. “Only hours before, Chan Ping (14) and his younger sister Chan-ho had been busy catching frogs and playing around the pond area where the villagers cultivate worms to make their living.

“But Chan-ho returned alone and distressed to her parents’ home, telling her mother that Chan Ping had fallen into a well. Mrs Chan rushed to the scene. But she, too, did not return. Mr Chan, who had been sleeping, leaped out of bed when he heard his daughter screaming for help. He also went to the well – and did not return.

“The SCM Post found yesterday that virtually every family had been touched by the tragedy. Villagers flocked to offer comfort to the orphaned and bereaved.

“Mr Wong Yun-shing summed up the tragedy which happened at his family’s well in a few words. ‘This is a peaceful, contented village,’ he told the South China Morning Post. ‘This is the first accident I can recall at Ho Sheung Heung – and it couldn’t have been worse.’”