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Hoops fan feels pain of costly slam dunk
Serinah Ho
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The father of a teenager whose legs were crushed when a basketball backboard fell on him is confident his son will recover.
However he holds the Housing Department responsible for the boy's ordeal, as the stand holding the basket at a Chai Wan public housing estate was in need of repair before Tuesday's accident.
Law Kai-wai, 17, was admitted to Eastern Hospital with a broken right leg and injured blood vessels in the other.
Called "Wai Chai" by his family, the Form Five student at Chong Gene Hang College is said to be outstanding at basketball, swimming and distance running.
"My son has displayed a positive attitude since the incident and we are touched by his toughness," his father, Law Kam-fook, 50, said.
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"We always went swimming together," the lifeguard said.
"As an outstanding sportsman, he is a member of his school's swimming and basketball teams. However, my wife and I fear he may not be so active now."
A steel rod has been inserted in the teenager's right leg and it will take around six weeks before he can make simple body movements. Whether Law will be able to play sports again depends on how well he heals.
Meanwhile, he looks forward to playing again although he initially feared the worst.
"My first thought was that I may never play sports again. However, the doctor says I may be able to do light sports, but not vigorous ones after my recovery."
Law feels lucky the half-tonne structure did not fall on his chest: "I tried to push it away and it fell on my legs and not the upper part of my body."
Chong Gene Hang College principal Li Siu-wah said Law is a member of the "sports elite" and key basketball player. Li wishes him a speedy recovery.
The accident occurred in an open basketball court at Chai Wan's Hing Wah Estate around 5pm.
Law grabbed the hoop while trying a slam dunk and the board fell on him.
A police investigation suggests the screws on the structure, put up 11 years ago, had rusted and snapped under his weight as he clung to the hoop.
A spokeswoman for the Housing Department said the office will help Law's family apply for compensation should such a request be made.Comment
