Man dies inside haunted house ride at Hong Kong theme park

A man has died inside a “haunted house” at a Hong Kong theme park after he was reportedly struck by a mechanical coffin.

The 21-year-old man was found unconscious five minutes after he was hit by the moving object inside the Buried Alive ride at Ocean Park, local media report.

Police confirmed the man, who was only identified by his surname Cheung, was later declared dead in hospital, the South China Morning Post reports.

According to the amusement park’s website, the ride gives thrillseekers the chance to "experience being buried alive alone” before fighting their way out of their dark and eerie grave", according to the website.

Visitors are told to enter the attraction down a slide which takes them to the haunted house as part of a “single-player” experience.

Park officials said Cheung was found in a staff maintenance area and may have ventured into the section by mistake.

The ride, which was offered as part of the park’s annual Halloween Fest, has been closed while an investigation takes place.

Cheung had been visiting the park as part of an annual staff event offered by the company he worked for.