December 28, 2011
By Erika Odell, WAAYTV.com
Section Line Rd., Colbert County
A 17 year old Colbert Heights student is in Huntsville Hospital
recovering after being shot in the leg with a .30-06 rifle.
Officials said that the teenager and his cousin, 27 year old
Terry McBride were hunting on Section Line Road in Colbert County
when McBride mistook the 17 year old for a deer.
The victim was flown to Huntsville Hospital where he remains in
the Surgical Intensive Care Unit awaiting another surgery.
Lt. Darryl Askew, an Alabama Conservation Officer said that it's
important for hunters to go back to the basics before heading in to
the woods. He said that following the law and basic hunting safety
tips, along with attending a hunter's education course can help
prevent accidents from happening.
Askew said it's important to treat every firearm as if it's
loaded. Clearly identify your target and what's beyond it. Keep
weapons pointed in a safe direction at all times. Wear hunter
orange. Use a safety harness while in a tree stand, and use a
flashlight when it's dark out.
"If you don't follow the safety rules, things like this happen,"
said Askew.
"There were two cardinal rules violated here. One was on the part
of the victim, failure to wear hunter orange. Te other was on the
part of the shooter, failure to properly identify his target."
The investigation is still ongoing. The evidence will be turned
over to the Colbert County District Attorney's office to determine
if there will be any charges.
"I would emphasize that hunting is still one of the safest sports
you can participate in," said Askew. "It's very safe, but can be
even more safe if everyone follows the rules properly."
