Tributes for doctors killed in US

Books of condolence have been opened at Mrs Phipps' GP surgery

Family and friends have paid tribute to a heart expert and his GP wife from Barnsley who were killed in a motorbike accident during a holiday in Florida.

Drs Walter Rhoden, 47, a consultant cardiologist at Barnsley Hospital, and Kathryn Phipps, 45, died as they were thrown from the motorbike on Sunday.

The GP's father Mike Phipps said: "Kathy and Walter were exceptional doctors and fantastic parents".

He said the family's main concern was the Hoyland couple's three children.

We've all been devastated by the news of this tragic accident Mike Phipps, father of Dr Kathryn Phipps

Teenagers Jamie, Emily and Olivia, all less than 17 years old, were at the hotel in Orlando where they were staying with their parents at the time of the accident.

The couple died at the scene of the crash on the State Road A1A in North Volusia County after they collided with a truck which pulled out in front of them, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Mr Phipps said: "The family is trying to come to terms with the shock of what has happened.

"We've all been devastated by the news of this tragic accident."

Colleagues of the couple said they were still in shock over their untimely deaths.

Dr David Bullimore, clinical director at Barnsley Hospital, said: "Kathy and Walter were outstanding.

"We will mourn them as lost friends, as they will be mourned and missed in their local community.

"Our sympathy goes out to their three children, who they so adored and who formed such a major part of their lives."

'Truly extra-ordinary'

Dr Rhoden was an eminent figure in medicine, having become the youngest consultant in the UK at the age of 32.

He was also responsible for inventing "inflatable pants" which compressed arteries in the leg of patients with heart problems to improve blood flow.

In a statement by three doctors who worked at Garland House Surgery, Wath-upon-Deane, where Dr Phipps was a partner, they said: "Kathy was a truly extra-ordinary and unique woman who worked so hard and lived every moment of her life to the full.

"We will remember her infectious enthusiasm and energy, generosity, caring, sense of humour and not least her wildly coloured hair."