Pilot killed in Del. crash was surgeon

The pilot involved in a fatal crash Sunday night in Delaware has been identified as Clifford Turen, an orthopaedic trauma surgeon for Bayhealth Medical Center, according to a report on the Dover Post.

Turen was the sole person aboard a single-engine, Piper aircraft that vanished from radar in rural Delaware about 7:10 p.m. Sunday, just after the air control tower at Dover Air Force base received an emergency call.

Troopers, local firefighters, and the officers from the Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division combed the area of Bayside Drive and North Little Creek Road in Little Creek, Del. A crew from the Little Creek Fire Company discovered the wreckage about 9:35 p.m., police said.

Turen's body was found inside.

Bayhealth officials released a statement Monday afternoon identifying the pilot as Turen, and expressing their sadness in the news of his death, according to the news report.

"Dr. Turen was an exceptional orthopaedic surgeon, a passionate teacher, a strong leader and visionary," said Gary Siegelman, Bayhealth's senior vice president and chief medical officer in a prepared statement. "He was also a friend and a colleague. He will be sorely missed."

Turen joined the staff at Bayhealth in 2011 from the Georgia Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, where he worked as director and chair.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.