Police are investigating two traffic accidents, in Tuen Mun and Tai Po, that have claimed the lives of two men.

Football player Cheung Yiu-lun died after his car rammed into a lamp post as he was travelling northbound on Tuen Mun Road near Siu Lam at about 3.30am.

He and his passenger, a 29-year-old woman, were rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital. Cheung was certified dead at about 4.50am.

Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho expressed deep regrets over the athlete's death and sent condolences to his family and friends.

Earlier in the evening, at about 11.30pm, a 49-year-old taxi driver was killed after a private car rammed into his cab, trapping him inside the vehicle.

A 25-year-old woman had been driving the car along Tai Po Road towards Tai Po. Near Deerhilll Bay, her car reportedly dashed across the carriageway, hitting the taxi.

Both drivers were rushed to Alice Ho Miu Ling Hospital where the taxi driver was certified dead just after midnight.