A Phippsburg man and a 12-year-old boy from Florida suffered self-inflicted wounds in unrelated hunting accidents this week, just days into the state’s firearm season for deer.

Thomas Gilliam, 48, of Phippsburg had parked his truck along Route 209 in Phippsburg on Wednesday afternoon and had gotten out of the truck to load his rifle. As he was walking across the street to look for signs of deer activity the butt end of the rifle struck the pavement, causing it to fire.

The bullet passed through several fingers on Gilliam’s right hand and his left forearm. He was taken to Maine Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition.

The 12-year-old boy was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after accidentally shooting himself in the foot while hunting in Springfield on Thursday, according to Corporal John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service in a news release.

MacDonald identified the 12-year-old as Ashton Crowther of New Port Richey, Florida. He was hunting with his father when the boy inadvertently placed the rifle against his left foot and pulled the trigger. The wounds to the man and boy are not considered life threatening.

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