Hunter falls, dies when rifle discharges near Cougar

COUGAR, Cowlitz County — An elk hunter died when his high-power rifle discharged accidentally, apparently as he slipped and fell in rugged terrain about a mile northeast of Cougar, Cowlitz County sheriff's deputies said.

Deon Campbell, 39, of Vancouver, Wash., died at the scene Wednesday of a gunshot wound to the chest, sheriff's Capt. Mark Nelson said.

Campbell was hunting with some friends and he and another member of the group, Tim Rule, 40, of Camas, were about 20 to 30 yards apart as they tried to reach some elk they had seen in a clear-cut area when Rule heard a gunshot, Nelson said.

Rule found Campbell mortally wounded and members of the hunting party used a radio to notify authorities.