A MAN who was one of the first people to have a successful heart transplant at Papworth Hospital has died. Gordon MacDonald, 66, had been the UK s longest surviving heart transplant patient. His daughter Suzanne, 34, had a heart transplant in March last y

A MAN who was one of the first people to have a successful heart transplant at Papworth Hospital has died.

Gordon MacDonald, 66, had been the UK's longest surviving heart transplant patient.

His daughter Suzanne, 34, had a heart transplant in March last year.

Mr MacDonald, a former milkman, was 40 when he underwent life-saving surgery at Papworth in 1980.

The operation was a success and he went back to work as a clerical officer just six months later.

Speaking to The Hunts Post last September after celebrating the 25th anniversary of having his new heart, Mr MacDonald said he felt extremely lucky to have been given extra years of life.

Mr MacDonald, who died on August 27, is survived by his wife Irene, son Colin, 37, and daughter Suzanne.