Hunter's death ruled accidental

PADUCAH, Ky. - Kentucky wildlife officials say the death of a Paducah man while deer hunting was accidental.

According to The Paducah Sun, 38-year-old Samuel Ryan Henderson was struck in the head by a bullet as his hunting party crossed a fence on a Ballard County farm.

The incident occurred about 8 a.m. Sunday. Sgt. Garry Clark of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said another hunter took his .243-caliber bolt action rifle from his shoulder to hand it to another man when the weapon discharged. Tony Dunker, the wildlife agency officer for Ballard County, said it appeared the safety was not engaged when the rifle was passed.

No charged were filed.