A hunter from Michigan was injured in a hunting accident Wednesday afternoon west of Belle Plaine. Adam Post, 33, of Howell, MI, was transported to Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids by Lifeguard Air Ambulance after he was struck in the face and chest by pellets from a shotgun being handled by his companion, Les Hill of Salem, VA.
According to reports, Hill closed the action on his double-barreled shotgun when it accidentally went off, striking a truck about 30 feet away. Some of the pellets glanced off the truck and struck Post.
The victim was transported to the Belle Plaine Municipal Airport by Belle Plaine Ambulance, then transferred to Lifeguard. Belle Plaine Police, Tama County Sheriff’s deputies and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources assisted at the scene.
DNR Conservation Officer Brett Reece reminds hunters to always exercise muzzle control of any firearm they are handling.
“Just because you don’t intend for a gun to fire doesn’t mean it can’t. Hunters need to constantly make sure their firearm is pointed in a safe direction at all times,” said Reece.