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Accident at Mirror concert will be fully investigated, Hong Kong leader vows, as surgeons fight to help injured dancer walk again

  • Authorities say preliminary investigation has found one of two metal wires suspending large video screen snapped
  • Medical source says impact dislocated dancer’s third and fourth section of his cervical vertebrae, leaving him unable to move his limbs

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Police officers enter Hong Kong Coliseum on Friday, a day after a video screen collapsed onto the stage, injuring two workers. Photo: Yik Yeung -man

Outraged fans are demanding answers and action while the government has promised a full investigation along with a comprehensive assessment of safety at future concerts after a shocking accident on stage during a sold-out show by Hong Kong boy band sensation Mirror left a dancer in a critical condition.

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Mo Lee Kai-yin, 27, was said to be in danger of becoming paralysed from the neck down on Friday after he was hit on the head by a giant screen that came crashing down the night before, also injuring dancer Chang Tsz-fung, 29 at Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom.

Following up on an immediate response at the highest levels of government, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu vowing to get to the bottom of the matter, authorities said preliminary investigations had found that one of the two metal cords suspending the large screen had snapped in the middle of the performance.

Two members of Mirror and about a dozen performers were dancing on stage, and Lee was directly under the screen, which measured 4 metres by 4 metres, when it fell directly on top of him, pinning him to the ground. The show was halted and the two injured dancers were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

A medical source told the Post the impact of the screen dislocated the third and fourth section of Lee’s cervical vertebrae, leaving him unable to move his limbs. His head and lungs were also injured.

Emergency crew tend to the injured on stage as anxious audience members look on. Photo: AP
Emergency crew tend to the injured on stage as anxious audience members look on. Photo: AP

Lee underwent surgery on his vertebrae overnight and returned to the operating theatre again on Friday for another eight-hour procedure, a separate medical insider said. Doctors managed to stabilise his spine, although Lee required intubation and his condition was classified as critical. Whether Lee will be paralysed depends on the progress of his recovery and if his damaged nerves grow back, according to the source.

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