Hospital's ceiling collapses during storm
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A hospital in north western New South Wales had to be evacuated last night after a vicious storm caused a ceiling to collapse.
The storm hit Coonabarabran just before 6:00pm (AEDT), bringing with it large hail, strong winds and heavy rain.
The hail blocked the gutters of the local hospital, causing the ceiling of the intensive care unit to collapse.
Other parts of the hospital were flooded and the electrical system damaged.
Ten staff were evacuated and seven patients were discharged to relatives, Dubbo Hospital and an adjacent nursing home.
Police say the hospital's emergency department remains open for life-threatening cases.
Emergency services received 21 other calls for help during the storm from roof damage to minor flooding.
The clean-up will continue today.
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