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Savannah Meacham

Man with gel blaster prompts hospital lockdown

Reports of an armed man led to Robina Hospital locking down wards and diverting ambulances. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

A man is in custody after walking around with a gel blaster and prompting a Gold Coast hospital lockdown.

Members of the public called the police to report a man walking near the Robina train station with what appeared to be a gun on Tuesday morning.

The reports of an armed man led to Robina Hospital, which is near the train station, locking down wards and diverting ambulances.

The emergency department remained open for walk-ins.

When police arrived, they found the man carrying a gel blaster and he was taken into custody.

Police said the man was expected to be charged later on Tuesday.

The lockdown at Robina Hospital has been lifted.

"Patient and staff safety remains our priority," a Gold Coast Health spokesperson said.

A gel blaster is a toy gun that shoots water beads.

It is an offence in Queensland to openly carry around a gel blaster because they can be confused with a firearm.

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