LIVER SURVIVES AS FOG JET EXPLODES, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Source: The Sun
By: Virginia Wheeler

A SMALL plane carrying a transplant liver crashed in thick fog yesterday — injuring two people while the organ was unscathed.

The aircraft exploded in flames — yet the body part was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to a hospital to be used in a life-saving op.

This morning, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham announced the transplant operation went ahead successfully last night.

A spokesman said: "The recipient is stable, as would be expected at this time.

"The operation took under four hours and was carried out by three surgeons, an anaesthetist, a scrub nurse and a team of skilled theatre staff.

"The transplant team would like to thank the pilot of the light aircraft and his colleague for their bravery. Our thoughts are with the individuals and their families.

Safe ... a transplant organ

Zenpix

"The team would also like to thank the quick-thinking of the fire and rescue teams at the scene who saved the organ."

Witness Dennis Gough, who was playing golf nearby, said: "As the aircraft approached the runway it was leaning to one side. Once it hit there were flames before it broke into a big fireball."

An airport worker said: "There was a horrible noise. The plane burst into flames with a trail of fire behind it.

"My guess is some wheels hit the runway then some other part struck the ground hard.

"When I ran over all I could see was the tail. The rest was in flames. I saw two people get out and run away. There was a huge ball of flames when it exploded."

A West Midlands police spokesman said: "As soon as the casualties were secure this organ was also rescued and, under police escort, taken to its destination."

The 3.30pm crash caused travel chaos, with all flights from Birmingham diverted or cancelled.

Crash ... jet similar to this

Martin Robson

Stranded holidaymaker Lorraine Parker said: "We saw lots of smoke with two fire engines rushing across. We have been told the airport is closed. It's caused chaos. It's very foggy here and so we're all just waiting."

Birmingham International is one of Britain's biggest airports outside London.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3237868/Transplant-liver-survives-as-fog-plane-explodes.html#ixzz15qfSXpeQ