LONG CREEK — A Pendleton man was hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself in the leg, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

William Hamby, 71, was manipulating his .45-caliber, 1911-style pistol while riding in a vehicle traveling to John Day on Highway 395 when the weapon accidentally discharged. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, just north of Long Creek.

The pistol round struck Hamby in the lower left leg, causing significant injury, the release stated. Hamby was transported to Blue Mountain Hospital and was later transferred to another facility via Life Flight.

The sheriff’s office had no word on Hamby’s current condition.