Laser beam pointed at medical helicopter in Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A close call for the pilot of a medical helicopter here in Southwest Florida.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says someone shined a laser at the pilot while he was in the air this past Friday.

The pilot says he was still able to control the helicopter because the laser beam was only in his left eye for just five seconds.

An FAA report says the incident happened near Bonita Beach Road and US 41, where the medflight chopper was returning after dropping off a patient at Lee Memorial Hospital.

In Florida, shining a laser at an aircraft is a felony.

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