An image on a camera found in a Hong Kong taxi
A Kiwi student's backpack that was left in a Hong Kong taxi will be reunited with its owner on Monday after the honest driver's daughter contacted the New Zealand Herald to ensure it was returned to its rightful home.
Annabelle Lam sought help from the Herald to track down the backpack's owner this morning.
She said her father had brought home the Jansport backpack, which was apparently left behind by a couple who got into his taxi about 10.30pm last night at Lan Kwai Fong, a popular eating and nightlife area.
Inside the backpack was a bunch of camera gear and a timetable for Dylan Turner from Howick College.
Ms Lam said she and her father tried to reach Dylan or the couple to return the backpack and cameras.
"There are no clues that we can contact them directly. We tried looking for Dylan's Facebook but it was in vain," she said.
After Ms Lam's plight was posted on the Herald's website today, emails poured in.
Among them was one from Dylan's mother, Tracey Turner, who said she was now reminded there were "kind and caring" people out there.
This evening, Tracey Turner said the backpack belonged to her son Dylan. They, along with her husband Alan, and their other son Luke, were on holiday with family friends.
Mrs Turner said the family, who are from Maraetai Beach in Auckland, had travelled to Bangkok, Phuket and Hong Kong and were now in Guangzhou.
The backpack had Dylan's camera gear inside, which had been a present from his parents for Christmas.
She said the family realised the bag was missing when they returned to their hotel after jumping out of the cab.
"[We] phoned the restaurant and the taxi company and reported it on their lost and found phone line," Mrs Turner said.
She said they also went to the local police station.
Mrs Tuner said the camera and three lenses inside the bag were almost brand new. There was also a small waterproof camera they had used on their trip.
But the contents of the bag were were not only valuable - they also had sentimental value. The photos from their holiday were what was most important to them, she said.
"We are totally taken aback that it has turned up. We first heard about it this morning when I got a text from a work colleague saying they know all about our lost bag when we hadn't even told anyone about it back home.
"We had more or less written it all off as one of life's lessons.
"However, it really does go to show that there are still very kind and caring people out there who do want to do the best for others."
Mrs Turner said she had been in touch with Ms Lam and hoped to make arrangements to pick up the backpack when the family returned to Hong Kong on Monday, before flying back to New Zealand.
"It will be really lovely to meet Annabelle and her father to thank them personally for their efforts," Mrs Turner said.