A woman was critically injured and flown to the hospital after being struck by a car part, which was initially reported as a possible shooting, in the parking lot of a business in Harvard Friday afternoon.
The Harvard Fire Protection District and Harvard Police Department responded around 4:21 p.m. Friday to the 100 block of Admiral Drive in Harvard for a report of a possible gunshot victim.
A 911 caller reported they heard a loud pop and believed their sister, who was bleeding, had been shot, according to fire department radio traffic.
The caller reported they were in the parking lot of Sunrise Food and Liquor, 100 Admiral Drive.
Paramedics quickly determined that no one had been shot, according to Harvard Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
An adult female had suffered a critical leg injury after being struck by a gas strut or spring-loaded component of a vehicle, Vucha said.
Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman said a hydraulic arm on a hatchback malfunctioned, causing the injury.
A medical helicopter was requested to respond due to the severity of her injuries, Vucha said.
A Mercyhealth REACT medical helicopter responded and landed at Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center – Harvard.
The ambulance transported the victim to the hospital emergency room and the victim was transferred to the flight crew.
The helicopter flew the victim to a Level 1 trauma center. Vucha said no additional information is available from the fire district.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the Harvard Police Department.