Heathrow immigration officer and his pharmacist daughter die from coronavirus 24 hours apart 

Heathrow immigration officer, 61, and his pharmacist daughter, 33, die from coronavirus 24 hours apart

  • Sudhir Sharma died on Wednesday before Pooja suffered same fate the next day
  • The father, from Hounslow, west London, ‘had underlying health problems’ 
  • Daughter who worked in Sussex hospital passed away after three days of care 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

The daughter of a Heathrow immigration officer who died from coronavirus was also killed by the disease herself just 24 hours later.

Sudhir Sharma, who worked at Terminal 3, passed away on Wednesday before pharmacist Pooja suffered the same tragic fate the following day, The Sun reports.

The father, 61, from Hounslow in west London, last worked on January 7, therefore officials don’t believe he contracted Covid-19 on duty and likely picked it up elsewhere.

Pooja Sharma, pictured left, died of coronavirus just 24 hours after her father Sudhir, pictured right, also lost his life to the disease

He is believed to have had underlying health problems, forcing him to be absent at work, but had recently returned to his job on the frontline.

A source told the website: ‘It’s an absolute tragedy. He was a lovely, lovely man. Every immigration officer is talking about it.

‘There are concerns about his widow being unable to attend the funeral because of the isolation issues. It’s just so awful.’

Pooja, 33, worked as a pharmacist in East Sussex at Eastborune District General Hospital and is thought to have received three days of care and treatment for the virus before her death.  

The father worked as an immigration officer at Terminal 3, pictured, at Heathrow airport

The father worked as an immigration officer at Terminal 3, pictured, at Heathrow airport

Pooja, 33, worked as a pharmacist in East Sussex at Eastborune District General Hospital, pictured, and is thought to have received three days of care and treatment for the virus before her death

Pooja, 33, worked as a pharmacist in East Sussex at Eastborune District General Hospital, pictured, and is thought to have received three days of care and treatment for the virus before her death

Whether the relatives were in close contact with each other before the tragedies is not clear, but friends and colleagues have since rushed to pay tribute. 

Nick Jariwalla, director of Border Force at Heathrow, told The Sun: ‘Sudhir was a very well-respected, kind and experienced officer. He will be greatly missed by everyone.’

A friend of the daughter posted: ‘Really sorry to hear that one of our fellow pharmacists and a friend of mine since university, Pooja, and her father have passed away.

‘May their souls rest in peace. Sending my heartiest condolences, prayers and love to their family.’