Hawke’s Bay Hospital Lockdown Lifted After Brief Security Incident

Residents of Hastings, New Zealand, were left on edge for just over an hour when Hawke’s Bay Hospital was placed under lockdown following reports of a suspicious individual on the premises. The incident, which began around 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday, saw armed police surrounding the hospital and nearby Heretaunga Intermediate school as a precaution. However, by 2:30 p.m., the lockdown was lifted, and police were seen speaking with a man in handcuffs at the hospital’s entrance.

According to a staff member inside the hospital, an urgent memo was sent to all employees informing them of the lockdown. The message read: “Hawke’s Bay Hospital has gone into lockdown due to a potential gunman in the vicinity. Please stay away from doors and windows and do not let anybody exit the building. Further information to follow.” The message underscored the immediate concern for the safety of staff and patients, though no injuries were reported.

Armed police and police dogs were deployed to conduct a thorough search of the Emergency Department, which had been the focal point of the incident. A Health NZ spokesperson confirmed that the hospital had entered lockdown after a report of an incident in the Emergency Department, reiterating that the safety of patients and staff was the top priority. Updates were promised as more information became available.

The lockdown also affected the surrounding area, with nearby businesses such as Angkor Wat, a local bakery, and Hospital Flowers, a flower shop across the road from the hospital, also taking precautionary measures. Staff at Angkor Wat described the situation as “a bit scary,” with police instructing them to remain inside the shop. Similarly, Hospital Flowers locked its doors as a safety measure.

While the lockdown caused some disruption, particularly for patients with scheduled appointments, the situation was largely contained. Some individuals waiting for their appointments were seen on the footpath, though many expressed that they were not overly concerned about the incident. Meanwhile, nurses who were due to start their shifts found themselves temporarily unable to access the hospital but remained unperturbed.

Emergency services were also impacted, with an ambulance observed waiting outside the police cordon on Omahu Road before proceeding into the hospital grounds. A spokesperson for Hato Hone St John confirmed that the ambulance service had been notified of the incident and had deployed a rapid response unit nearby as a precaution.

Although the incident was brief, it highlighted the need for vigilance in public spaces and the swift response of law enforcement and emergency services. As the situation was resolved and the lockdown lifted, the community was left with a reminder of the importance of preparedness and the critical role of police and medical professionals in ensuring public safety.

With no injuries reported and the situation brought under control, the focus now shifts to ensuring that such incidents are minimized in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of public safety challenges and the resilience of the community in the face of such events.