Missouri hiker in serious condition after being mistaken for a turkey, shot in the chest

A Missouri hiker was rushed to a trauma center in serious condition Saturday after being shot in chest when a hunter mistook him for a turkey.

St. Charles County police responded to the shooting at the Lewis and Clark Trail at the August A. Busch Memorial and Weldon Spring Conservation Area, about 32 miles west of St. Louis, around 12:30 p.m.

The hiker needed to be airlifted out of the area, KSDK reported.

Witnesses reported that the shooting appeared to be a freak accident. Officials noted that an official turkey hunt was occurring at the time. Sunday is the last day of turkey hunting season in Missouri.

Neither the victim nor the hunter have been identified.

No charges have been filed yet, but the St. Charles County Police Department said its investigation is ongoing.