In a report by M & C news, last Thursday operators of a Hong Kong cable car which connected visitors to the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha statue, Tian Tan Buddha, appeared in court after one of its gondolas fell to the ground.  

Bill Calderwood, former CEO of Australia’s Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) and former Managing Director of Skyrail which operated the Ngong Ping Skyrail, denied negligence played a part in the incident.

His court case has been postponed until next month.

Meanwhile, Thomas Li Kit – Loi, Skyrail’s Assistance Maintenance Manager, also faced court last month for three charges relating to the incident. He pleaded not guilty.

There were no passengers in the cabin when it fell almost 50 metres, as it occurred during a trial run when the tourist attraction has been closed off for the day on the 11th of June. It then hit the ground on Lantau Island, Hong Kong largest island.

Incidents such as these as well as an investigation of the ride, which kept it closed for more than 6 months, has severely affected the public confidence in the attraction.

Skyrail ITM previously managed the Ngong Ping Skyrail until MTR Corp took over following a report by the government which found that Skyrail were not properly taking care of the system.

The cable car system commenced in late 2006 after its opening was delayed by numerous hindrances. 

On February 18, a pretrial hearing will take place with three foreign experts to be brought in as defence witnesses to bear witness to the cable car’s maintenance, structure and system.