By Don Wilkins
Messenger-Inquirer
OWENSBORO, Ky.— A medical helicopter carrying a patient was forced to make an emergency landing in Calhoun on Monday night.
According to Shelly Schneider, public relations specialist for Air Evac Lifeteam, a duck crashed through the helicopter’s windshield about 9:41 p.m. while in flight.
She added that four people — the pilot, a paramedic, a nurse and a patient — were on board the aircraft when the collision occurred.
“The helicopter picked up the patient at Baptist Health in Madisonville and it was on its way to Louisville,” said Schneider, who didn’t know which hospital in Louisville the patient was bound for.
The duck entered through the left side of the windshield, which was where the patient was positioned on a stretcher.
From there, the pilot was able to land the medical helicopter in the rear parking lot of Muster Funeral Home in Calhoun.
According to Sheriff Ken Frizzell, McLean County EMS stayed with the patient until a second medical helicopter arrived to complete the transfer.
“The other helicopter landed at McLean County High School,” Frizzell said.
On Tuesday morning, Dennis Roberts, a mechanic for Air Evac Lifeteam, was at the site inspecting the damage. Feathers and remnants of the duck were visible in the rear passenger area of the helicopter.
Roberts said the company was likely going to haul the helicopter back to its base in Marion for repairs.
Schneider said she couldn’t release any names or the condition of the patient being transported due to HIPAA regulations.
“I wouldn’t say (hitting ducks) is common, but it does happen,” Schneider said. “The pilot did what he was trained to do and avoided injury to everyone on board.”
©2015 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.)