Bendigo Hospital air ambulance forced to land at airport after bat strike

A colony of bats has forced an ambulance helicopter to abandon its landing at Bendigo Hospital, despite having a patient on board.

A colony of bats has stopped an ambulance helicopter from landing. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Striking bats at a regional hospital helipad has forced an air ambulance transporting a patient to abandon its landing.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed an incident where a bat strike at the hospital forced an air ambulance to make alternate arrangements, with pilots landing at Bendigo Airport and transporting the patient an alternate way.

Authorities believe the bats are from the nearby Rosalind Park.

Ambulance Victoria air operations acting manager Rupert Freeman said paramedics have several “contingencies” to ensure patients’ safety.

“The safety of our patients, paramedics, flight crew and the community is paramount at all times,” he said.

An Ambulance Victoria helicopter was forced to abandon its landing after a bat strike.

“Ambulance Victoria has contingencies in place for all helipads when they are unavailable or when pilots cannot land due to safety reasons.

“In such instances, helicopters land at the nearest suitable landing site.

“After landing, patients remain in the care of paramedics as they are safely taken by road on the short journey to hospital”.

Ambulance Victoria said it will continue to monitor the situation at Bendigo.

A survey conducted by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action earlier this year found there to be an estimated 38,000 bats living at the park about 800m from the hospital.

Bendigo Hospital has been contacted for comment.