THE daughter of a Royal Free doctor who survived a gas explosion that killed her father is to have her face and hands reconstructed at the hospital after staff had a whip-round to pay for the complex surgery.

Ten-year-old Assya Haimour is being flown to Hampstead from Jordan, where the accident happened in March. Dr Musleh Haimour, who lived in Hampstead and worked in A&E for 14 years, had been visiting his wife and five children in Amman when he was killed. Two of his children died in the accident but Assya survived with third degree burns to her hands and face.

Ahmed Turab, who worked with Dr Haimour at the Royal Free, said his friend’s death had left a “huge space” in the department.

He said: “Nothing has hit me as hard as losing my friend of 20 years. Everyone here says Musleh was like a big brother. Even though he wasn’t much older than me, he was a very wise man. I always turned to him for advice.

“Whatever the situation he always had a smile and he fought for other people. The surgery department is a family and we all come together in a situation like this. People are offering not just money, but their time and support. A couple of Musleh’s colleagues, myself included, went over to Jordan to support the family.” 

Dr Musleh Haimour with his family  

Supporters have raised money to repair the family home and fly Assya and her mother to London while doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, technicians and other theatre staff are donating their free time to provide care and treatment.

Surgeon Peter Butler, who will manage the case, said: “I was shocked by what happened. Musleh was an amazing man and it’s devastating to lose a father. I have specialised in facial reconstruction for more than 25 years and I want to help these people. It’s the reason we all get into medicine.”

He added: “She has a hard journey ahead of her. This is a very bad injury. There’s going to be a lot of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and then surgery. It is going to be a long and painful road.”

Friends are raising money to pay for Assya and her mother to live in London while she sees out her treatment and to pay for prosthetic hands, face masks and medication.

To find out more, go to crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ahmad-turab-2