Tributes to British surgeon Kar Hao Teoh killed in South Africa
Getty ImagesA British surgeon who was shot dead in South Africa has been described as "exceptional" and a "rising star".
Kar Hao Teoh, 40, was a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex.
Police believed he was driving in Cape Town last Thursday when he took a wrong turn towards groups of protesters.
Mr Teoh is believed to have lived with his family in Bishop's Stortford, in Hertfordshire.
'Exceptional mind'
A spokesman for the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust said: "He was a well-respected member of the team, valued colleague and friend to many across the hospital as well as in regional, national and international trauma and orthopaedic networks."
A spokesman at the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society described him as a "rising star" of the profession and added: "He was remembered by colleagues past and present as a kind, gentle person; a dedicated and talented surgeon."
Bedri Karaismailoglu, a surgeon from Istanbul, said he was a close friend of Mr Teoh's having met at a European Foot and Ankle Society congress in Lyon, France, in 2021.
"He possessed an exceptional mind and was a friend with whom spending time was always a pleasure," said Mr Karaismailoglu.
PA MediaSouth African officials said five people were killed during the protests that related to a minicab taxi strike.
Colonel Andrè Traut, of the South African Police Service, said officers were investigating the shooting, which happened at about 18:30 local time in Ntlangano Crescent in the Nyanga township.
He said the victim was found by officers in the driver's seat and the passengers - including an infant - were taken to hospital for "medical treatment".
Lirandzu Themba, a spokeswoman for the police minister, said: "The 40-year-old doctor was driving with two other persons in the vehicle.
"From the airport he apparently took a wrong turn off... and headed towards Nyanga.
"In Ntlangano Crescent a number of suspects approached his vehicle, shot and killed him."
She said no arrests had been made over his death.
Getty ImagesA crowdfunding page set up for Mr Teoh's family - including for his two-year-old son - has raised more than £25,000.
The UK Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in South Africa and are in contact with the local authorities."
The UK updated its travel advice following the violence in Cape Town last week.
