Irish dentist killed in car crash in South Africa

An Irish dentist who was on holiday after completing humanitarian work in Kenya has died in a car accident in South Africa.

An Irish dentist who was on holiday after completing humanitarian work in Kenya has died in a car accident in South Africa.

Dr Paddy Gamble (61), from Cork, was killed instantly and his wife, Sue, was left in a critical condition when the rented car they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck on Monday.

The couple were touring with one their sons, Eugene, who is said to have escaped serious injury and is being treated in hospital in Oudtshoorn.

It is understood the accident occurred between the towns of George and Oudtshoorn, 450 kilometres from Cape Town.

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Mrs Gamble was taken by ambulance to a hospital in George and, according to South African police, she has undergone surgery for her wounds and is in a serious condition. Dr Gamble and his son, who is also a dentist, had just completed a month of voluntary work for a charity near the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Mrs Gamble had travelled to South Africa within the past fortnight and joined her husband and son for a holiday in the Cape Town region.

Relatives flew out to South Africa yesterday to be with the survivors of the crash.

Dr Gamble, who is survived by five children, practised as a dentist for 32 years and was semi-retired.

Well known for his pioneering work in medical and dental hypnosis, he was co-founder and secretary for many years of the Irish Medical and Dental Hypnosis Society, and organised courses on the subject throughout the State.

Mr Donal Atkins, secretary general of the Irish Dental Association, offered his sympathies to the family. "Dr Gamble was a loyal member of the association throughout his professional life and played an active role in the activities, both scientific and dental/political, of the local branch," he said.

It is not known when Dr Gamble's remains will be returned to Ireland.