A Gagebrook youth shot in the head in a Central Highlands hunting accident

An 18-year-old from Gagebrook is recovering in hospital from a head injury after being shot by a member of his hunting party while in the Central Highlands. UPDATED.

A young man from Gagebrook has been shot in the head while on a hunting trip with his mates in the Central Highlands. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

UPDATED, 7.30PM: A TEENAGER is recovering in hospital after he was shot in the head during a horror hunting trip in the Central Highlands.

Police and Ambulance Tasmania were called to a Bothwell property on Hollow Tree Road, about 75km north-west of Hobart, at 8:30am on Saturday.

The injured 18-year-old Gagebrook man was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, where the Sunday Tasmanian understandshe underwent surgery to remove a shotgun pellet from his head.

Tasmania Police Inspector Troy Morrisby yesterday said the shot was not at close range and did not cause serious injury.

“His last condition update suggested it was not life threatening and when he was transported from the scene he was very much in a stable condition,” he said.

“He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital and has undergone some surgery.”

Police stressed that there was no risk to the public in relation to the incident and confirmed all the people involved were known to each other.

Inspector Morrisby said early investigations indicated the man was accidentally shot by a member of his hunting party.

“We’re making a range of inquiries and we’re speaking to everyone who was present but there’s nothing that indicates it was a premeditated attack on that person,” Inspector Morrisby said.

“It looks like an accidental discharge of a firearm.”

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EARLIER: A YOUNG man from Gagebrook has been shot in the head while on a hunting trip with his mates in the Central Highlands.

Tasmania Police said the 18-year-old received a non-life threatening head injury today during the hunting accident at Bothwell.

Police and Ambulance Tasmania were called to the scene at 8:30am today.

Early investigations indicate the man was accidentally shot by a member of his hunting

party.

Police said the shot was not at close range and did not cause serious injury.

The man was transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter where the Mercury understands he has successfully undergone surgery to remove a pellet from his head.