Duck crashes through Minnesota State Patrol helicopter windshield, pilot injured

Authorities say a Minnesota State Patrol pilot was injured Wednesday night after a duck crashed through the patrol’s helicopter windshield.

The state patrol says a trooper flight was requested at around 10:15 p.m. to help law enforcement in Wabasha County. While pilots were returning from the mission, a duck crashed through the helicopter’s windshield.

According to the state patrol, one of the pilots suffered a suspected head injury, and the helicopter flew to the St. Paul Downtown Airport to land and get treatment for the pilot.

Authorities say the pilot was taken to Regions Hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening and has since been released.

The damages to the state patrol helicopter are still being assessed.