British doctor shot dead in Cape Town was renowned ankle surgeon

A British doctor shot dead in front of his wife and young son after taking a wrong turn from Cape Town airport has been identified as a renowned orthopaedic surgeon.

Kar Hao Teoh, 40, was shot in the head after accidentally driving into a notorious township during a violent transport strike.

Mr Teoh, who lived in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, was travelling with his wife Sara and his son Hugo when he was killed last week.

Medical colleagues from around the world paid tribute to Mr Teoh, who was a pioneer in the treatment of ankle fractures.

A statement from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, where he worked, described him as “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”.

The British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society said his “sudden and tragic death ... has shocked all of us”.

The society added: “He was remembered by colleagues past and present as a kind, gentle person, a dedicated and talented surgeon and a rising star of the foot and ankle world who had already made a big impact in the British and European foot and ankle societies.”

On Thursday, relatives gathered at the family home but were too upset to comment.

Mr Teoh was killed on the first day of a minibus taxi strike that has brought South Africa’s tourist hub to a halt for the past week.

Police reported that he “apparently took a wrong turn” and headed towards a notorious township called Nyanga, which was once considered South Africa’s murder capital.

Officers said he was approached in his vehicle in Ntlangano Crescent and shot and killed.

A total of five people have been killed during the strike, including a police officer. Buses have been torched and vehicles stoned, while the suspension of taxi routes has left many unable to get to work or school.

Taxi leaders brought the action in protest against what they say is heavy-handed local officers impounding their vehicles for minor traffic offences. The main union denies its members are behind the violence.

Foreign Office advice issued about the taxi strike tells travellers to stick to main routes and warns that GPS guidance might send drivers into dangerous areas.

“These strikes have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport,” said an alert.

‘Loving family man’

Another colleague, Prof Paul Lee, said Mr Teoh had been awarded a number of prestigious fellowships for his work.

He said: “He was a guiding light in our professional community, a devoted friend, and a cornerstone of many significant projects.

“For those of us privileged to call him a friend and colleague, Kar was a trustworthy and steadfast presence.

“The loss of Mr Kar Teoh leaves a void in our hearts and our community. His professional dedication was unparalleled, but it was his personal warmth, his commitment to friendship, and his unwavering support that we will remember most fondly.”

A JustGiving page set up to raise funds for his family described him as “a dear friend, a dedicated colleague, and a loving family man”.

It added: “His contributions to the medical field showcased his unwavering dedication to advancing healthcare.

“Beyond these professional achievements, Kar was known for his kindness, warmth, and steadfast support for those around him.”