Helicopter crashes in Florida while picking up donor heart

Three people were killed on early Monday morning when a helicopter crashed in northern Florida while on a flight to pick up a donor heart, officials said on Tuesday. There were no survivors.

The accident happened at around 5.53 a.m. local time about 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) northeast of Palatka, a city in Putnam County. The Bell 206 helicopter had departed Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and was heading to Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville to procure a heart.

On board the aircraft, which was operated by flight service provider SK Jets and registered to Abraham Holdings, LLC, were Mayo Clinic cardiac surgeon Luis Bonilla, M.D., and procurement technician David Hines. The pilot, who was not employed by Mayo, was not immediately identified.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of those involved in this tragedy. This is a great loss to the Mayo Clinic family and the transplant community," said William Rupp, M.D., vice president of Mayo Clinic and chief executive officer of Mayo Clinic in Florida.

The helicopter crashed about 150 yards (137 meters) from Dynamite Road in Clay County, causing a small fire which burned approximately 10 acres (4 hectares). And although the aircraft was missing, police said the crash was not reported until 12 p.m. local time when another helicopter saw the wreckage.

Few details about the planned heart transplant were available. Local media reported that the organ, which had not been picked up yet by the medical team, never made it to Mayo Clinic. Details about the would-be recipient of the donor were not released.

"As we mourn this tragic event, we will remember the selfless and intense dedication they brought to making a difference in the lives of our patients," said John Noseworthy, Mayo Clinic president and chief executive officer. "We recognize the commitment transplant teams make every day in helping patients at Mayo Clinic and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the accident.