There were some tense moments in Florida when emergency crews transporting a critically ill patient by air had a duck crash thru the helicopters windshield.

According to officials in Gainesville, Florida the medical helicopter was returning to Shands hospital Friday night after picking up a critically ill patient.

Still close to 700 feet in the air, the chopper was preparing to land traveling close to 160 miles per hour, when the duck crashed through the windshield and hit the pilot.

Officials say heroic efforts from the ShandsCair pilot, Don Irving not only saved the pilot's life, but it saved the life of the others on board as well.

Hospital officials say this incident was the first one they've had since Shandscair began in 1986.