Man, 59, Accidentally Shoots Himself in Leg
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A 59-year-old Oxnard man remained hospitalized in stable condition Sunday after he accidentally shot himself in the leg while hunting in a remote area of Los Padres National Forest.
James Wells was riding a bicycle on a trail with his son, James, also of Oxnard, about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when his gun accidentally went off, injuring him in the right leg, said Senior Deputy Elmo Sheeran.
Officials described the gun as a single-shot, black-powder firearm.
Wells’ son flagged down a sheriff’s deputy in the area, which is 20 miles north of Ojai, and a rescue helicopter was dispatched.
But inclement weather forced the chopper to return, and the sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team was sent to the area, where they found Wells conscious and in good spirits, Sheeran said.
Rescuers administered first aid before carrying Wells about two miles to Grade Valley Road. From there he was transported by ambulance Wells was treated at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Lost Hills.
On Sunday afternoon, a spokeswoman at the hospital would say only that Wells was in stable condition.
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