Former WNY Dr. cleared in patient death

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (WIVB) - An American doctor who once practiced here in western New York has been cleared of killing a patient in Australia.

Prosecutors say Jayant Patel botched surgeries and caused bodily harm while working as the Director of Surgery at a hospital in Queensland. A jury has found Patel not guilty of the death of an elderly patient he performed surgery on in Brisbane.

Patel previously worked in the Buffalo area. In 1984 he was cited by health officials for failing to examine patients before surgery and fined $5,000 and put on three years clinical probation.  In April 2001, New York State officials withdrew Patel's license.