File PhotoThe pilot, three other Sanford employees and a patient are okay after a Sanford helicopter hit a duck on its way back to Sioux Falls.
The incident happened at approximately 6pm Thursday night. A Sanford Health helicopter was traveling from Mitchell to Sioux Falls when it hit a duck approximately four miles south of Humboldt.
Mike Christianson, Executive Director of Air Transport at Sanford, says everyone was okay during the whole ordeal. However the pilot needed to ground the helicopter as part of safety protocol.
The plane landed safely south of Humboldt. Christianson says Humboldt Ambulance took over from there and headed for Sioux Falls. The helicopter was able to fly back to Sanford Thursday evening.
The pilot, flight nurse, flight medic, respiratory therapist and one patient were all on board the helicopter when it hit the duck.
