Gun accident leaves hunter in fair condition

A Valley Falls man who accidentally shot himself Tuesday night was listed in fair condition Wednesday at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka.

Bryan J. Tillery, 43, was hunting turkeys about 8 p.m. Tuesday in a field in the 1550 block of Blue Mound Road when he tripped on his 12-gauge shotgun, according to Sgt. Jerry Greene, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s detective.

When the shotgun went off, pellets struck Tillery in the left chest area, his neck and face, according to a sheriff’s report.

Greene said Tillery was transported by a Life Star helicopter ambulance from the scene. The area is northwest of Valley Falls, Greene said.