The left side of a Kowloon Motor Bus double-decker is torn off after a crash in the New Territories, Hong Kong, Dec 18, 2019. (PHOTO / HONG KONG POLICE FORCE)

HONG KONG - A Hong Kong bus driver was sentenced to four years behind bars on Wednesday for his role in a traffic accident that left six passengers dead and 39 injured in Sheung Shui two years ago.

Man Chi-kwong, 57, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving.

READ MORE: 6 dead, 39 injured in Sheung Shui bus crash

Handing down the sentence at the District Court, Judge Isaac Tam said surveillance footage showed that the driver looked drowsy and was not holding the steering wheel tightly before the accident, which endangered all the passengers.

His driving license was suspended for five years, in addition to imprisonment.

In the afternoon of Dec 18, 2019, Man was driving a KMB 978 bus with 72 passengers on board on the Fanling Highway when the double-decker veered off course and crashed into barriers and trees. The left side of the bus was torn off in the accident.

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