Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Qld man shot in head with speargun
A Queensland man is lucky to be alive after accidentally getting shot in the head with a speargun early on New Years Day.
January 3, 2019
A man was accidentally shot in the head with a speargun after trying to stop an argument early on New Years Day in Queensland.
The 30-year-old was trying to take the loaded gun from a 26-year-old man, who was in a dispute with another man, when it accidentally fired.
The spear initially hit the ground before ricocheting into his head at a home in Hopevale, north of Cooktown about 3.30am, police say.
The one-metre barbed spear entered his right temple and exited the back of his skull, a spokesman said on Thursday.
The man was conscious as he was taken to Cooktown hospital. He was later flown to Cairns hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
The 26-year-old, who is alleged to have taken the speargun to the home, has been charged with going armed in public to cause fear.
He is scheduled to appear at the Cooktown Magistrates Court on January 9.