AN ANGRY goat has grounded the Motor Accident Commission helicopter by ramming it after it landed in a field during a rescue.

The chopper was responding to a car crash on Upper Penny Hills Rd, Onkaparinga Hills, just after 1.15pm on Monday when it landed in a nearby field — to the dislike of a herd of goats.

An SA Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the goat had rammed the helicopter and damaged a window.

The injured car driver, who hit a tree, was taken by ambulance to Flinders Medical Centre where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

The chopper — which is part of a fleet including two other helicopters, fixed-wing planes and all-terrain vehicles — was grounded while it was assessed.

It returned to Adelaide Airport, where it will be repaired before it can be used again to respond to emergencies.

media_camera The goats ... somewhere in there is the culprit. Picture: First On Scene Media

The three choppers are used by the health and emergency service organisations to undertake medical retrieval, policing, bushfire management and search and rescue tasks.

The Motor Accident Commission took over the sponsorship of the helicopters in July 2009.

On average, the helicopters respond to at least one medical trauma every two days, with most relating to road crash injuries.