May 18, 2009

A Med Evac helicopter heading from Greeley to Swedish Hospital had to make an emergency landing early Sunday morning after a bird smashed into the front windshield.

Northern Colorado Med Evac says the helicopter was about 2 miles away from Swedish when the bird hit the windshield just above the pilot’s head creating a grapefruit-sized hole in the windshield.

Four people were on board the helicopter at the time: the pilot, a paramedic, a nurse and a neurology patient.

The helicopter landed safely at Centennial Airport around 1:10 a.m. and the patient was taken from the airport to Swedish on the ground.

No one was injured by the bird strike.

The crew has since been taken back to Greeley.

Repairs are still going on for the helicopter.