The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is investigating a weekend hunting accident in Webster County that claimed the life of a teen-ager. County Coroner Steve Wells said Craig Collum, 19, of Cadaretta was accidentally shot Saturday afternoon by a minor who was deer hunting with him. Collum was pronounced dead at North Mississippi Medical Center-Eupora from the single gunshot wound he suffered, according to Wells.
The accident, which occurred off Springhill Cemetery Road in the Cadaretta community, was reported to the Webster County Sheriff’s Department about 1:25 p.m. Emergency medical responders from the Bellefontaine Volunteer Fire Department assisted NMMC-Eupora Emergency Medical Services at the scene. Wells said no autopsy was performed.
DWFP spokesman Jim Walker said Tuesday that additional details were unavailable pending completion of the investigation, which continues. Neither Walker nor Wells knew the type of gun involved. Saturday was the first day of primitive weapon season for deer. The minor hunting with Collum is 14, according to unofficial reports.
“It’s tragic to say the least,” said Walker. “Any time you have an accident like this, you feel for the family. We’re going to investigate fully what happened.”
Funeral services for Collum were Tuesday at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Springhill Cemetery.