Link to AST Website

Link to ASTS Website

The American Journal of Transplantation is deeply saddened by the tragedy during an organ retrieval mission on December 26th.

Members from the Transplant Team at the Mayo Clinic Florida were killed Monday when the helicopter crashed en route to retrieve a heart from the Gainesville Hospital, Shands at the University of Florida – which is about 60 miles away.

Heart surgeon, Luis Bonilla, MD, procurement technician, David Hines and the pilot (whose name was not released at the time of this statement) were killed in the crash. The exact cause of the crash has not been determined.

AJT joins the transplant community in mourning this loss during what would have otherwise been a life-saving mission and extends its condolences to their family and friends during this difficult time.
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Statement attributed to:

http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/12/27/florida-helicopter-crash-kills-surgeon-getting-heart-for-transplant

http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Crash-kills-surgeon-getting-heart-for-transplant--136236108.html