THOUSANDS of doctors, nurses and hospital staff came together outside Whiston Hospital to pay respects to a surgeon who died after contracting COVID-19.

Sadeq Elhowsh was an orthopaedic surgeon at Whiston Hospital and died on April 20 after contracting coronavirus.

St Helens Star:

Today as his hearse drove past the doors of his place of work, his colleagues and fellow NHS staff and patients lined the road, hospital driveway and stood in every facing window to applaud him.

Sadeq, 58, from St Helens, dedicated more than 17 years to the trust during his NHS career.

St Helens Star:

He has been described as a loving husband and father to four sons, and was dearly loved by all of his close colleagues and well respected by his patients.

As the hearse arrived, there was a roar of applause from thousands of NHS workers, most wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), who stopped their incredible work to bid him farewell.

St Helens Star:

The applause went on for more than three minutes then followed on back down Warrington Road where members of the public lined the road. They too applauded.

By the time the last clap was finished there were not many dry eyes.

St Helens Star:

READ THE FULL TRIBUTE TO HIM HERE: Surgeon and 'devoted father' dies at Whiston Hosptial after contracting coronavirus