A 92-year-old man in Hong Kong tragically passed away after allegedly choking on tang yuan, or glutinous rice balls, at his home on the second day of Chinese New Year (18 Feb).
Authorities received a report around 9am that the man, surnamed Song, had collapsed inside his unit at Sau Wah House, Sau Mau Ping Estate in Kowloon. Emergency responders found him unconscious and rushed him to United Christian Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Preliminary investigations suggest he choked while being fed tang yuan by his wife in the living room. Medical experts note that sticky, round foods like glutinous rice balls can pose a significant choking risk for elderly individuals, especially those with pre-existing conditions affecting swallowing.
Song, who had high blood pressure and had been bedridden for an extended period, was under the care of his wife at the time. She immediately called their daughter and attempted first aid before emergency services arrived. The incident serves as a reminder of the heightened risks of choking among the elderly during festive meals.
