Hunter is shot as gun goes off accidentally

HANOVERTON -- Preliminary indications are that the shooting of a hunter during the opening day of deer gun season was an accident.
Although the Columbiana County Sheriff's Department and the state Division of Wildlife are still investigating Monday's shooting of a Salem Township man, it appears that the wounding was caused by the unintentional firing of a shotgun, chief Deputy Pete Whitmore said this morning.
Kenny Crowell, age unavailable, of 38359 Longs Crossing, was in critical condition this morning in St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Youngstown.
Crowell was taken to the hospital by emergency helicopter from the shooting scene, a brushy area off Campbell Road in Hanover Township.
Crowell was shot about 11:30 a.m. as he and two other hunters were dragging two dead deer that had been killed by Crowell and his stepson, said sheriff Detective Allan Young.
A man who knew Crowell, Todd O'Donnell, age unavailable, of 3963 Grafton Road, Salem Township, approached and began helping to drag one of the deer, Young said.
Holding his 12-gauge shotgun in one hand, O'Donnell bent to grab a tow rope with the other. As he did, his firearm discharged, sending a slug into Crowell's lower stomach from about six feet away, Young said.
It's still unclear whether the shotgun's safety was off or if the firearm malfunctioned, Young said.
"We're not looking at any foul play," Young said.
When authorities arrived, Crowell's companions were administering first aid.