The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office has provided an update on the hunting accident that resulted in the death of a 28-year-old Gorham man on Thanksgiving.
Zachary Barse, 28, and Kevin Hudson, 61, of Clifton Springs were in the wooded area on the north side of Cross Road in Phelps.
Barse shot a deer and was attempting to track it, leading back in the general direction of where Hudson was located in a tree stand.
As Barse approached the area of Hudson’s tree stand – Hudson took a shot. Deputies say the shot struck Barse in the upper body.
After taking the shot, deputies say Hudson left the tree stand and discovered he struck Barse. Hudson immediately called 911 and began CPR until first responders arrived.
Live-saving measures were eventually terminated in the field, deputies said.
Barse was wearing camouflage and no orange clothing at the time of the accident. He was taken to the medical examiner’s office in Rochester for an autopsy.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by Oaks Corners and Phelps fire departments. Finger Lakes Ambulance, New York State Police, and DEC Police all assisted at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation. Deputies said in a news release that DEC police remain involved, too.
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