SMYRNA — An automatic gate at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge’s main entrance was found to be damaged Sunday night.

It was subsequently repaired by a crew by Monday afternoon.

Refuge manager Oscar Reed said he believed the gate was bent when accidentally struck by a vehicle because “somebody thought they had enough clearance when actually they didn’t have enough.”

The gate was at least partially operational when the refuge opened 30 minutes before sunrise Monday morning, and Mr. Reed said entrance hours were not affected.

“It was an impediment, but vehicles could still pass through it,” he said. “It’s a pretty wide gate.”

Mr. Reed said it was the first time he knew of that the gate had been damaged.