Camper Accidentally Shoots Self In Buttocks Near Ely

A man was hospitalized Thursday after accidentally shooting himself in the buttocks.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting happened around 3 p.m. in the area of Angleworm Lake off the Echo Trail north of Ely.

The 29-year-old from Maplewood, Minn., was getting ready for a nap in his tent in the BWCAW, went to remove his loaded 9mm handgun from a holster on his back when he accidentally fired a round into his buttocks, according to authorities.

Two hikers found the man walking to his vehicle in the nearby parking area and call 911.

The man was transported by ambulance to Ely Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities did not release the man’s name.