NI doctor regains consciousness in South Africa

A doctor shot by robbers in South Africa has woken from a coma and spoken to his wife, it emerged today.

Dr Richard McBride, 56, from Helen’s Bay, Co Down, Northern Ireland, has been fighting for his life since he was gunned down by armed raiders at his holiday home just outside Cape Town.

Hospital chiefs said he was still in intensive care but was now stable and had made contact with his wife, Pamela, who has kept a bedside vigil since the attack.

The consultant anaesthetist’s colleagues at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast have been praying for him since they learned of the shooting.

A spokeswoman said his progress was a huge relief to anxious staff who had grown close to Dr McBride during the two decades he has worked at the hospital.

A spokeswoman said: “We’re delighted he’s making progress.

“We were all shocked when we heard the news and some of his close colleagues have been in contact with the family.”

Dr McBride and his wife had been entertaining at their house in Plettenberg Bay, in the Southern Cape province, when the shooting occurred late on Monday.

After their guest left, two intruders broke into their home, shooting Dr McBride in the stomach before escaping with a video recorder and CD player. Mrs McBride was not hurt.

The wounded medic was taken to Knysna Private Hospital where he regained consciousness last night.

Dr McBride had planned to retire to the holiday home before the attack, police said.

A major police hunt for the gunmen was continuing today.