Horse-riding accident victim Jason Jones lost his battle for life at the weekend.

His life support machine was turned off early on Saturday morning with the consent of his family.

But a special medical team from the US removed organs so that seriously-ill patients will get the chance of life.

And yesterday King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Intensive Care Unit manager Glenda Daniels praised Mr. Jones' family's bravery for allowing his tragedy to help others.

She said: "It takes a lot of courage -- it's a very stressful time for people.'' Ms Daniels -- part of whose job is to promote organ donation -- was speaking on the eve of Organ Donor Awareness Week, which kicks off at City Hall, Hamilton, between 12 noon and 2 p.m. today.

And she urged members of the public to pick up donor cards -- and make their wishes clear to their next-of-kin.

Ms Daniels admitted: "It's a subject people don't want to hear about or discuss.

"It only becomes important when they know people who would have died if they didn't have a transplant. We are talking about death and the gift of life.

Donors literally give life to somebody else.'' Mr. Jones' family were last night being comforted by their minister and were not available for comment.

But mother Mary-Ellen Brady said earlier: "I thought about organ donation for myself.

"But I never thought about it for Jason -- I never thought I would have to.'' Among the organs that can be used for life-saving operations are the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver.

But corneas -- the transparent front of the eye -- can be used to restore sight in the blind and even tiny bones from the ear can be used to allow the deaf to hear again.

Transplant operations are not carried out in Bermuda -- but Bermudians do travel overseas for life-saving operations.

Diabetes -- which can lead to serious kidney damage and a lifetime of having to use dialysis machines -- is a major problem in Bermuda, with many sufferers sustaining kidney damage which ultimately requires transplant treatment.

Mr. Jones, 21, suffered serious head injuries after being thrown from his horse only yards from his home in Point Finger Road, Paget, as he travelled to the Botanical Gardens to compete at the Agricultural Show on Thursday morning.

It is understood his mount De Doctor was startled by passing traffic and Mr.

Jones was thrown from his saddle.

A team from the New England Organ Bank, who rushed to Bermuda by private jet after being alerted by on-Island medics, then moved in to remove organs for urgent transplants.

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