From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Thursday, September 24, 2015, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call of an accidental gunshot wound on Berry Lane, Eureka. The male victim, age 57, stated the firearm fell while he was loading his vehicle and a bullet shot through his leg. A neighbor heard the gunshot and went to the victim’s residence to offer assistance. The neighbor observed the victim had lost a large amount of blood and was continuing to lose blood so the neighbor removed his shirt and used it as a tourniquet applying it to the victim’s injured leg which stopped the swift flow of blood.

Deputies and medical personnel responded to the scene. Medical personnel transported the victim to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was treated for his injury. Due to the neighbor’s quick thinking and actions the victim’s life was saved.

This serves as a reminder unload your firearms when transporting it and make sure the safety is on. Please keep your pistols in an enclosed container and store your ammunition separately during transportation. If you would like to apply for a Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) permit, please visit our website www.humboltgov.org/sheriff for more information.