Press Release

Person in custody dies in public hospital after preterm delivery

     A 42-year-old pregnant person in custody at Lo Wu Correctional Institution died today (August 30) after preterm delivery in a public hospital.

     The person in custody was sentenced on July 20, 2017 for the offences of possession and use of forged identity card and breach of condition of stay, when she was pregnant with maturity at 23 weeks. On August 24, she was admitted into institution hospital for observation and treatment due to general malaise. At 0.38am, she complained of vaginal bleeding inside institution hospital. After examination and treatment, she was sent to public hospital for further management. Subsequently, a preterm infant was delivered by emergency caesarean section at 3.40am due to suspected pre-eclampsia of the person in custody. The condition of preterm infant was found unstable and certified dead at 4.34am after resuscitation. Thereafter, the condition of the person in custody deteriorated after the operation and she was certified dead at 12.05pm today.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.

Ends/Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:45