A BAGGAGE handling service has launched an investigation after its workers put a kidney intended for transplant on the wrong plane.

The organ, taken from a Newcastle donor, was supposed to go to Northern Ireland, but ended up 700 miles away in Paris.

The pilot of the Flybe plane realised the mistake and arranged for a flight to take the organ to its Belfast destination.

Belfast City Hospital said the organ arrived two hours late but in good condition, and surgeons were able to use it because kidneys remain intact for up to 30 hours.

Serviceair, which runs baggage handling services at Newcastle Airport, apologised for the mix-up.

A spokesman said: "Serviceair regrets that a donor kidney was incorrectly placed on a Newcastle to Paris flight. We have instigated an investigation."

Sandra Latimer, transplant co-ordinator at Newcastle Hospitals Trust, said: "We are extremely distressed and very, very angry at what happened."