LASKER — A Garner man has was hospitalized after a hunting accident left him injured here.

On Saturday, Christopher Myers, 32, of Penny Royle Lane, Garner, was airlifted to Pitt Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to lower right leg.

According to District 3 (Halifax and Northampton counties) Wildlife Sgt. G.C. Hatcher, at approximately 6:40 p.m. Myers, along with a friend, Zach Heath, was hunting from an elevated box stand near Collier Road when the accident occurred.

The report filed by investigating Wildlife Officer Seth Reinhart said Heath shot at a bobcat as it passed near the base of stand and he got down out of stand to investigate.

At that time, Myers also exited the stand and then returned to the stand. Myers drew a Beretta .40 caliber pistol and while repositioning himself and a rifle in the stand, he dropped the pistol from his right hand.

As the gun was falling, Myers reached for it with his left hand and when he grabbed the pistol it discharged. According to the report, the bullet entered his lower right calf and exited near his ankle.

Myers was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital in Roanoke Rapids and then airlifted to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville. According to a Pitt Memorial Hospital spokesperson, Myers has since been discharged.

Sgt. Hatcher said the investigation is pending.