An Indian-origin junior doctor has been killed after being hit by a car as she crossed the road at a pedestrian crossing in London on her way to work. Dr Jasjot Singhota was knocked over near her home in south London and rushed to King's College Hospital nearby.
Surgeons tried to save the 30-year-old for eight hours before she was pronounced dead from internal bleeding and head injuries last week. Her family on Tuesday appealed for anyone who had witnessed the collision to come forward.
Speaking to the Evening Standard her sister Neha said: "We're at this point of absolute desperation. We need to know what happened to her."
Ms Singhota had studied medicine and physiology at University of Edinburgh and was working at Guy's and St.Thomas' Hospital in London.
The junior doctor was due to graduate from the Royal College of Anaesthetists in March to go on to work as a qualified anaesthetist. The caring doctor had hoped one day to work for Medicin Sans Frontieres, which works to help those suffering in war zones and international conflicts.
Her other sister, Nicole, said: "I don't know what to do now, we were best friends. I feel a lot of my own pain for losing her but I'm more upset for my sister and what she didn't get to achieve. My parents are broken and are really struggling."
She continued: “She was so modest but her brain was amazing, she could have developed a cure for something. She was a role model and guided me so much through life.
“It’s such a waste, she worked so hard to get all her qualifications and graduate and she said it was finally time to relax and enjoy life. My parents are broken and are really struggling. It’s one thing to lose a sibling but worse to lose a child.”
As per her wishes, her organs were donated and her liver and pancreas have already helped save the lives of critically ill patients and in the words of Nicole, “It’s so typical of my sister on her very last day on Earth she was helping others.”
Many of Jasjot's friends and colleagues have also been paying tribute to her on social media on a special Facebook page created by her sisters.
"She was bright and witty and a real pleasure to know. The world is a lesser place without her," reads one message.
Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, where Jasjot worked, said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic death of our colleague Dr Jasjot Singhota, and our thoughts are with her family and colleagues at this difficult time. Dr Singhota was a dedicated, committed and well respected member of staff, as well as an excellent doctor with a bright and promising future."
A former teacher, Linda Penney, wrote that Miss Singhota had 'packed more into her own short life than most people manage in a lifetime'.
She added: '[Jas] was a formidable student, a natural leader and talented sportswoman but, more importantly, a warm, gracious and caring person The medical profession have lost a special doctor. My heart goes out to all her family in their loss.'
Another former teacher of Miss Singhota’s, Chantal Fourey-Jones, said: “What devastating news. Jasjot was an absolute gem. A bright, highly motivated pupil with a great sense of humour.”
A colleague wrote: 'I only got to know Jas over the last 6 months through working with her in obstetrics but she was such an upbeat and wonderful person. I feel sad to have only known her for a short time. The world can be so cruel.”
Gary Robinson, a former colleague, said: “So sad to hear the news. We shared many happy hours working with Jas. She was bright and witty and a real pleasure to know.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the driver of the car that hit Miss Singhota stopped and is assisting officers. No arrests have been made.
