A Californian hospital has managed to complete a successful heart transplant operation after the helicopter carrying the organ crashed while trying to land on the roof of the building.
The Agusta Westland A109 medical helicopter flipped onto its side atop the roof of Keck Hospital of USC in Los Angeles last Friday.
Advert
The aircraft was carrying a donated heart when it crashed, but firefighters managed to retrieve the organ.
A medical worker then tripped over and dropped it, but the hospital has since said the heart was 'fine'.
A hospital spokesperson told AFP news agency that the patient was doing well.
The spokesperson said: "The heart itself was fine after being dropped."
Advert
The incident happened on Friday afternoon (6 November).
Footage from the scene showed firefighters and hospital staff gathered on the roof, with the helicopter lying on its side.
In the clip, a firefighter can be seen retrieving the donor heart, which appeared to be safe and sound inside a container, before handing it over to a medic.
Advert
However, having collected the organ, the doctor then trips and drops it as he walks away.
Officials also said the incident did not affect patient care at the hospital.
Pharmacist intern Bahador Aghakoochek told CBS: "I was inside the building working, and then once we heard everyone run out, I went out and saw it.
"It was like people were saying, 'Oh, the helicopter, the blade of the helicopter was coming down' or something.
Advert
"I didn't see anything personally but I know they were talking about debris flying from the air."
According to officials, there were three people on board at the time, including the pilot, who sustained minor injuries.
The other two people on board were reportedly unscathed, with the hospital saying nobody on the ground or in the building was injured.
Advert
Speaking to CBS, LAFD Battalion Chief Gene Bednarchik said: "The pilot himself self-extricated from the wreckage and he was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
"The other two passengers that were in the aircraft also self-extricated and they're being treated here at the Keck Medical Centre."
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
Sean M. Cross, president of Helinet, the company that provided the helicopter, told 10 News: "We are fully cooperating with the NTSB and FAA on their investigations.
"Our company prides itself on professional operation and maintenance of aircraft as core values - the safety of our customers and pilots is always our top priority.
"We are happy that at this time there appear to have been no serious injuries."
Featured Image Credit: Fox