A 23-YEAR-OLD Cork man was flown by Government jet to a London hospital last night for an emergency heart and lung transplant operation. The aircraft was rerouted as it left Dublin for Brussels.
The Government jet, carrying the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt, was believed to have been taking off from Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel when it was redirected to Cork Airport for the emergency flight at around 9.30 p.m.
The patient had to arrive in London before midnight in order to receive the double transplant. Other available flights could not have guaranteed that he would make it in time.
Air traffic control contacted the Government jet and it was agreed it would be redirected to Cork.
The man, who had been on the waiting list at Cork University Hospital for some time, was immediately flown to Heathrow. He was then taken to Harefield Hospital for the operation.
A spokeswoman at the hospital said the patient was "on call" at home when the heart and lung became available for the transplant. "There will be a lot of people watching for him because there have not been many of these operations in Ireland. I'm delighted for him," she said.
Mr Kitt and Government officials remained on board throughout the drama, before completing their journey to Brussels. A Defence Forces spokesman said: "The Air Corps was delighted to be able to help in the situation and we wish him well."