Dr Kar Hao Teoh, a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon from the United Kingdom, was one of the five casualties lost to the raging Cape Town taxi violence, a recent report revealed.
Dr Kar Hao Teoh: Shocking death of British doctor ripples across the globe
As reported by The Telegraph, the incident unfolded when the Teoh family inadvertently took a wrong turn from Cape Town airport, leading them into a perilous situation that would have far-reaching consequences.
Dr Kar Hao Teoh, aged 40, was widely recognised for his exceptional contributions to the field of orthopaedic surgery, particularly his groundbreaking work in the treatment of ankle fractures.
Hailing from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, he was known not only for his professional excellence but also for his warmth and compassion that touched the lives of many.
Across the global medical community, colleagues and peers expressed their heartfelt condolences for the untimely loss of Dr Teoh.
Colleagues described him as a shining star in the realm of foot and ankle surgery, with a reputation that extended far beyond the borders of his home country.
The British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society conveyed shock and sadness at his “sudden and tragic death,” highlighting his kindness, dedication, and his profound impact on the orthopaedic field.
“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,” the society said.
Cape Town taxi strike: Will criminals face justice for murder?
Tragedy struck Dr Teoh’s family as they embarked on a journey to Cape Town. Accompanied by his wife Sara and their young son Hugo, they found themselves inadvertently caught up in the midst of a minibus taxi strike that had plunged South Africa’s tourist hub into chaos.
On what should have been a joyous trip, Dr Teoh’s life was cut short on the very first day of the taxi strike.
While navigating unfamiliar roads, he mistakenly ventured into a notorious township named Nyanga, a name once synonymous with high crime rates.
It was within these unfamiliar streets that a heartbreaking tragedy occurred. In what can only be described as a random act of savagery, Dr Teoh was approached by an unidentified gunman on Ntlangano Crescent, who, without hesitating, unleashed fatal shots into the vehicle, killing the British doctor immediately in front of his wife and son.
Dr Teoh’s murder, at this juncture, remains unsolved with overburdened Cape Town law enforcement officials inundated with four other homicides related to the taxi strike.
The taxi strike that unfolded concurrently with Dr Teoh’s visit has wreaked havoc on Cape Town.
Violent clashes and protests have escalated, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a police officer. The strike’s disruptive nature has left a trail of destruction, with public transportation paralysed and essential services disrupted.