Helicopter scare hurts VT research horse

By Ashley Roberts
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: May 23, 2008

Virginia Tech Police and the FAA are looking for a helicopter pilot who swooped over a horse pasture; hurting one of the animals.

It happened Thursday, May 22nd around 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Trevor Ferguson says he and some students were in the horse field caring for the animals when they spotted a low flying helicopter. “It looked like they were maybe potentially trying to land out there. “It {helicopter} came close to the ground and came up to what was about level with the power lines out there and progressed towards us along the power line and there were probably about 20 horses near a fence line.“

Ferguson says all the horses scattered throughout the field, except for one named Hope.

She ran into a fence post, which caused quite a few cuts and bruises.

Picture of damaged fence, proved by Virginia Tech

Luckily, doctors were able to provide immediate care. “We’re very fortunate we had veterinarians on site doing other routine clinical business,“ says University Spokesman Jeffrey Douglas. “We were able to get to that horse really quick.“

With daily medical care, like applying bandages and cleaning wounds, Ferguson expects Hope to recover from her injuries in 2-3 weeks.

In the meantime, investigators are trying to find out who caused them in the first place.

“Right now, we simply have no idea what could have happened here,“ says Douglas. What kind of helicopter it was or who was at the helm?“

Police tell 10 on your side the incident doesn’t appear to be intentional, but are still investigating until they know for sure what happened.

If you have any information about the incident, you’re asked to call Virginia Tech Police at 540-231-6411.