PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man was shot by a hunter’s stray bullet while canoeing in Armstrong County.

It happened while the man and another person were canoeing on Crooked Creek in Burrell Township.

The man who was with the shooting victim did not want to identify himself or his longtime friend, but he showed KDKA where the bullet from a high powered rifle entered one side of the boat and exited the other.

Seated in the middle, his companion felt the searing pain in his lower back. He knew immediately it was a gunshot wound.

The two outdoors men have canoed this stretch of water in Armstrong County hundreds of times and they know the woods nearby are popular hunting spot.

From the air you could see investigators on scene.

The victim’s friend got him to shore and sought help from the closest neighbor.

That property owner called 911 and assessed the injury, which is luckily a deep flesh wound that nearly missed his spine.

Later that homeowner helped the friend load up the canoe taking one last look at the location of the bullet holes that tells the incredible story of a very close call.

The state game commission is investigating.

KDKA reached out to an officer from that agency, but have not heard back.

Sources on the scene say the hunter who fired the shot has been identified.

No comments on if any charges were filed against that person.

The victim is expected to make a full recovery.

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