A leading Canterbury surgeon was killed after plunging 500ft down an abyss while on a family ski-ing holiday.

Consultant urologist Bill Choi, 48, who lived in Littlebourne, was ski-ing off piste with others and a guide when the tragedy happened in the popular French alpine resort of La Plagne.

A spokesman for the mountain police said: “He fell 150 metres down an abyss and hit rocks. Paramedics tried to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is now underway.”

The tragedy happened on March 21 when Mr Choi, a keen skier, was on holiday with his partner Abbey, her daughter, and his two sons.

The devastated family is now back home and being comforted by friends.

Abbey said: “Bill was a very experienced skier and always wore a helmet and didn’t take risks.

“We were in different groups and I just got a phone call asking me to return to the hotel because Bill had a fall. My first thought was that he might have broken a leg, but he died from head injuries.

“It is devastating, particularly for the boys, whose mother Debbie died seven years ago.

“Bill was such a lovely man who would help anyone.

“We have had so many messages of sympathy and comfort and would like to thank everyone for their support, love and kindness.”

Mr Choi was a highly respected doctor and the lead urology surgeon for renal cancer in the East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust.

He was vice-chairman for the Renal Cancer Service and the chairman of Laparoscopic Urological Surgery for the Kent Cancer Network.

He was appointed consultant at William Harvey Hospital and subsequently developed laparoscopic renal surgery in east Kent, which is now one of the highest volume centres for surgical treatment for kidney cancer in the UK.

“It is devastating, particularly for the boys, whose mother Debbie died seven years ago" - Abbey

Popular with both staff and patients, he was also respected as a teacher and trainer.

Trust medical director Dr Paul Stevens said: “He always wore a smile, worked with a great sense of humour and would readily chat with all staff in a relaxed way.

“He was able to perform a serious job but would never take himself too seriously.”

Mr Choi’s body has only recently been repatriated to the UK, so funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

His death has been reported to the coroner,who is expected to open an inquest.