A SURGEON who volunteered at Hereford County Hospital has died from coronavirus, the BBC has reported.

Mr Adil El Tayar, an organ transplant consultant, is the first working NHS surgeon to die from the virus.

His cousin, Dr Hashim El Khidir said that Mr El Tayar, who lived in London, believed he had picked the virus up while working at a hospital in the Midlands.

The 63-year-old had volunteered to take up a frontline position to help battle the coronavirus outbreak.

Hereford consultant surgeon Mr Simon Fisher said: "I had the pleasure of working with Adil for the past few months. A kind doctor with a lovely smile and quiet humour. A huge loss. My thoughts and love are with his family."

Wye Valley NHS Trust Medical Director David Mowbray said: “We are saddened to learn of the death of Adil El Tayar and our thoughts are with his family at this time.

“Adil worked as a locum at Hereford County Hospital. We were fortunate to have someone of his skill and stature working for the Trust and many patients will have benefited from his talent and expertise.

“Colleagues at the hospital have paid tribute to his compassionate and friendly nature and professional demeanour.

“He will be sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him.”

Former colleagues at St George's University Hospital in Tooting have also paid tribute to the surgeon, who died this week.

Dr Abbas Ghazanfar, renal transplant surgeon at St George's said Mr El Tayar was a 'noble human being', and a hard working and dedicated surgeon.

It is understood that Mr El Tayar was receiving treatment at a west London hospital before his death on March 25.