Published: December 03, 2008 10:51 pm      

Flintstone boy recovering from accidental gunshot wound

Hunter’s gun discharged, striking 15-year-old in left arm, abdomen

CHANEYSVILLE, Pa. — A 15-year-old Flintstone boy underwent surgery after he was accidentally shot while hunting deer Tuesday in the Chaneysville Road area of Bedford County.

The youth, who was not identified by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, was struck in the left arm and left abdomen at about 1 p.m., before he was flown to Cumberland Memorial Hospital by Maryland State Police Medevac helicopter Trooper 5. No information was available on his medical condition.

Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser said the incident in Southhampton Township occurred when a York Springs man in his late 30s was putting a 30-06 rifle in a case on a four-wheeler or ATV.

“The firearm accidentally went off, discharging a bullet that struck the victim through his left arm and left abdomen,” he said.

The incident remains under investigation with the assistance of state police at Bedford. Flintstone fire and rescue volunteers and Raystown Ambulance also responded.

Feaser said there have been five hunting-related shooting incidents in the state since its rifle deer hunting season began Monday. Two of the incidents involved self-inflicted injuries and three related to accidental discharging of weapons. No information was available concerning the medical condition of any of the injured hunters.

Jeffrey Alderton can be reached at jlalderton@times-news.com.