Girl deemed fit for home return before Tai Koo tragedy

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said that the 12-year-old girl who fell to her death in Tai Koo Shing on Wednesday had been assessed by medical professionals as fit to return home from hospital following her mother's death earlier that day. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Sun described the incident as a tragedy, adding that he felt very sad and extended his deepest condolences to the grieving family. The chain of events began on Wednesday morning, when the girl alerted police that her 48-year-old mother had been found lying on the podium deck of a residential block at 5 Tai Koo Shing Road. Officers pronounced the woman dead at the scene. It is understood the pair had argued over her studies earlier that day. Following her mother's death, Sun said the girl was taken to hospital for assessment, before she was sent home with her relatives. "The doctors, nurses and social workers all assessed the situation. At the time, they had to make a judgement. As I understand it, their judgement was that they could be allowed to go home. I can only say this much," he said. Hours after returning home, the daughter was found dead after falling from the same building. "Of course, everyone is very concerned about whether more could have been done. But first of all, I believe the doctors, nurses, and social workers are all professionals. They had to make a judgement," Sun said. "However, as for exactly what happened that day, I would ask everyone to let the relevant authorities, including the police, conduct a thorough investigation. At this moment, I think it is not appropriate to speculate too much." When asked about the father’s situation, Sun urged the public to give the family some space and said authorities would provide full assistance. The minister also revealed that the mother had been a social worker employed by the Social Welfare Department. Director of Social Welfare Edward To said the family was not an active case with the department, but confirmed that comprehensive emotional support would be provided, along with funeral arrangement assistance. Edited by Aaron Tam