An investigation has been launched into an incident at Werribee Park where a helicopter landed close to an equestrian event.
A number of horses were spooked and some bolted and had to be caught.
Star Weekly was told the helicopter was dropping off a politician for lunch at Werribee Mansion.
However the identity of the passenger on board remained unknown at the time Star Weekly went to press. Local MPs have said they were unaware of any politician being flown in.
The helicopter landed in a field next to a fund-raising event held by the Melbourne International Horse Trials organisation at the National Equestrian Centre on Sunday, July 20.
The equestrian centre’s chief executive, Greg Pratt, said competitors were in danger when several horses were startled by the helicopter about midday.
“You have a helicopter landing no more than 50 metres from where horses are moving around in a competition area,” Mr Pratt said.
“A horse could have easily injured someone. Someone could have been trampled or worse.
“A number of horses escaped from the area. They were all caught quickly, but there was an issue of competitors having to find their horses amid the confusion.”
After the disturbance, it is believed the passenger abandoned the lunch and was flown to Point Cook instead.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson confirmed CASA was investigating.
