Helicopter carrying heart for transplant crash lands on LA hospital helipad
Organ made it safely to the operating room for surgery, hospital confirms
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A helicopter carrying a heart for transplant crash-landed on a hospital helipad in California on Friday.
Video footage of the scene at Keck Hospital of USC, in Los Angeles, shows the medical helicopter lying on its side with its tail hanging over the edge of the rooftop.
Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said the pilot of the helicopter was treated for minor injuries following the crash, while the other two people on board the chopper escaped unharmed.
LAFD added in a statement: “The donated organ that was being transported was safely retrieved by LAFD firefighters and handed over to Keck Hospital of USC staff.”
The hospital later confirmed the heart had arrived safely and the patient was receiving their transplant.
A spokesperson said in a statement: “On Friday 6 November, at approximately 3.15pm, a helicopter crashed on the helipad on the roof of Keck Hospital of USC.
“The passengers aboard the helicopter are being treated locally. Nobody on the ground or in the hospital was injured and patient care has not been disrupted.
“Keck Medicine is working closely with the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department to manage and investigate the incident.
“The helicopter was carrying a heart for transplant. The organ is currently being safely transplanted.”
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.
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