North Florida Helicopter Crash “A Great Loss”: Mayo Clinic

Layne Smith, a Mayo Clinic spokesman, confirmed the deaths of the two employees, who were part of an organ procurement team and were en route to Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville. They were Dr. Luis Bonilla, a cardiac surgeon, and procurement technician David Hines, Mayo Clinic said in statement. 

The pilot, who was not a Mayo Clinic employee, also died in the crash, the statement said. No patients were on the plane.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of those involved in this tragedy," said Dr. William Rupp, the CEO of the Mayo Clinic in Florida. "This is a great loss to the Mayo Clinic family and the transplant community."

“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, the Mayo Clinic's president and CEO. “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.”

The helicopter had no flight plan and crashed at 5:53 a.m. about 12 miles northeast of Palatka, according to Bergen.

 

Oestreich said the group had been en route to procure an organ for a transplant patient in Jacksonville.

 

Repeated telephone messages left for the Clay County Sheriff's Office weren't immediately returned.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating to determine the cause of the crash.

 

Bergen said the helicopter was registered to SK Jets in St. Augustine. No comment was immediately available from SK Jets.