Rocky Mountain hiker shot after gun in his backpack discharges, Colorado officials say

A Missouri man hiking with a gun in his backpack was shot in the leg, National Park Service officials said.

The 70-year-old man was hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park with a handgun in his backpack, park officials said in a Tuesday news release. When he set the bag on a rock, the gun fired a round and shot him in the leg.

“The round struck the man in his leg,” officials said in the news release. “The round did not exit the man’s body. There were numerous visitors in the Emerald Lake area when this incident occurred.”

Bystanders rushed to help the man, giving him first aid, park officials said. Search and rescue officials then “provided advanced medical care,” and the man was carried out on a wheeled litter.

He was taken in an ambulance to a trailhead and airlifted to the Medical Center of the Rockies, park officials said.

Park officials said Rocky Mountain National Park visitors must comply with state, local and federal firearm laws. Tourists also should not use a firearm to protect themselves against wildlife, NPS said.

“Open carry of handguns and rifles, and transport of the same in vehicles, is permitted,” park officials said in the news release. “Concealed carry is allowed pursuant to a legal Colorado concealed carry permit and applicable state reciprocity laws. Federal law prohibits firearms in certain facilities (visitor centers, ranger stations, government offices); places that are marked with signs at all public entrances.”

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Rocky Mountain hiker shot after gun in his backpack discharges, Colorado officials say."