3 September 2010 Last updated at 15:25 ET

Liverpool surgeon dies snorkelling in the Maldives

Consultant Ali Bakran died while snorkelling in the Maldives

Tributes have been paid to a "dedicated" and "very valued" surgeon from the Wirral who died while snorkelling in the Maldives.

Ali Bakran, a consultant transplant and vascular surgeon at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, was on holiday with his wife Diane and daughter Miriam.

He was pronounced dead after being pulled from the water on 27 August.

The cause of the 61-year-old's death is not yet known and post-mortem tests are due to be carried out in the UK.

'Highly regarded'

Hospital colleagues and patients are said to have broken down in tears when they were told the news.

Tony Bell, chief executive of the hospital, said: "We are greatly saddened to hear of Mr Bakran's death.

"He was a dedicated and very valued consultant surgeon and member of our transplant and vascular team for over 20 years.

"He was highly regarded by patients, staff and members of the renal transplant community nationally.

"He will be sadly missed by all of his colleagues."