TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to a top cancer specialist who was killed in a skiing accident.

Brendan Bolger, a consultant in gynaecological cancer at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), was on holiday in the French Alps with his family when the tragedy happened.

The 40-year-old was holidaying with wife Laura and his two sons, aged 11 and eight, when the tragedy happened.

Mr Bolger died from head injuries sustained in a fall, his wife confirmed at the family home in Jesmond, Newcastle, yesterday.

Mrs Bolger said: "There is nothing I can say. Everyone who knows me knows how I feel at the moment."

Yesterday, colleagues were devastated by the popular expert's death.

Len Fenwick, chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals Trust, said: "It isn't known yet how the accident happened. Mr Bolger was a valued and highly skilled consultant who specialised in the field of gynaecological cancer.

"This is a great loss to the health service in the North-East, and our thoughts are very much with his wife and family at this sad time. It's a great blow. He was highly committed to his patients."

Mr Bolger did his oncology fellowship at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, and has worked in London and Glasgow. He took up his post at the RVI two years ago.

Raj Naik, consultant gynaecological oncologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Karen Maughan, services manager, said in a joint statement: "Everyone in the department is deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Brendan Bolger.

"He spent three years here during which he made a lot of friends and impressed his colleagues by his dedication to caring for women with gynaecological cancer.

"During his time at Gateshead, and in recent years, his commitment to providing care services remained an important part of his working life.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this terribly sad time."

Dr Mike Laker, Newcastle Hospital Trust medical director, said: "He had an absolutely beautiful manner with his patients, and he had a great personal dignity which came through with his colleagues. He had astounding personal qualities and will be deeply missed."

Mr Bolger spoke in defence of his profession after the scandal surrounding disgraced North Yorkshire gynaecologist Richard Neale.

Some operations at the RVI have been cancelled because of Mr Bolger's death, and patients have been contacted