Hawke鈥檚 Bay Hospital is in lockdown, with staff told a gunman could be in its vicinity.
Armed police have surrounded the Hastings hospital at every exit after an incident about 1.20pm.
Diversions are being put in place and officers with dogs are being sent inside.
A staff member in the hospital said staff had been sent a memo saying:
鈥淗awke鈥檚 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鈥.
Armed police have surrounded the Hawke's Bay Hospital after an incident about 1.20pm on Wednesday. Photo / Jack Riddell
Police said they were responding to a person acting suspiciously on hospital grounds.
The hospital and a nearby school were in lockdown as a precaution, police said.
A reporter at the scene said a nearby bakery, Angkor Wat, was also in lockdown.
Hawke's Bay Hospital is surrounded by police officers. Photo / Jack Riddell
A Health NZ spokesperson said Hawke鈥檚 Bay Hospital was currently in lockdown following a report of an incident in the Emergency Department.
鈥淧atient and staff safety is top priority. We will update further when it鈥檚 appropriate.鈥
MORE TO COME
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