Clay County man injured by misfiring muzzleloader

Saturday, December 10, 2011

COAL CITY -- A 20-year-old Clay County man was injured Friday morning while deer hunting near Coal City.

Darren Collenbaugh, Coal City, sustained serious injuries to his hand and stomach when his muzzleloader rifle misfired, Indiana Conservation Officer Max Winchell of Cloverdale reported to the Banner Graphic.

He was initially taken by Trans Care Ambulance service to Greene County Hospital in Linton before being flown by Air Evac to St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville.

Collenbaugh had been hunting deer with his cousin, Jacob Collenbaugh, 22, and Justin Brezina, 21, both of Poland.

The two Poland men were reportedly moving toward Collenbaugh's location and both could see him, when they heard a shot. The pair immediately heard their friend yelling that he was injured.

The hunting accident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. in a wooded area north of Coal City.

Indiana Conservation Officers Dale Clark and Jason Sullivan are investigating the incident. The firearm has been collected to determine any possible contributing factors to the misfire.

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