Police are seeking a group of duck hunters after two women were shot with pellets in Alexandra earlier on Sunday.
The pair were walking along a track by the Clutha River around 11am when they received minor shotgun injuries. One was injured in the lower leg and the other in the shoulder.
The shots were fired by a group of men duck shooting from a boat in the river. While they spoke to the injured women and offered assistance when they realised what had happened, they left in their boat afterwards and have not yet been identified.
Queenstown Police Detective Sergeant Paul Slater says officers investigating the incident would like to speak to the men.
"We ask them to get in touch as soon as possible by calling 105 quoting P046364839," he says.
"Anyone else who may have seen the incident is also asked to get in contact."
Det Sgt Slater adds the incident is an important reminder for people to stay vigilant about safety when hunting this game bird season.
"Anybody handling a firearm should always treat it as loaded; that means always pointing the firearm in a safe direction and checking your firing zone," he says.
"When your firearm is not in use, police would encourage people to take chamber flags with them and insert them in the breach."
Police also want to remind people of the seven basic firearms safety rules:
- Treat every firearm as loaded
- Always point firearms in a safe direction
- Load a firearm only when ready to fire
- Identify your target beyond all doubt
- Check your firing zone
- Store firearms and ammunition safely
- Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms
More hunting safety information can be found here.
