Hunter who shot self, drove 12 miles to safety tells his story


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SNOWVILLE — A man who accidentally shot himself while on a remote hunting trip has revealed how he survived the incident.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I was protected. The gunshot should have killed me," said victim Jonathan Petit.

Pettit, 53, was hunting in an area between Kelton and Locomotive Springs in Box Elder County. He said he was trying to close the tailgate on his truck while holding his antique .36 caliber Navy muzzle-loading pistol. The force of closing the tailgate set the pistol off, shooting him in the chest.

Pettit says the gunshot actually lifted him off of the ground and threw him backward. He said he laid on the ground bleeding for over a half hour.

This 1861 .36 caliber muzzle-loading revolver is very similar to the gun that accidentally discharged and shot Pettit.
This 1861 .36 caliber muzzle-loading revolver is very similar to the gun that accidentally discharged and shot Pettit.

"I tried my cell phone, it had no service. I told myself that I had to get out of there or I was going to die," Pettit said.

Facing almost certain death if he stayed where he was, he gathered his strength and managed to get into his truck. Pettit said he used several things to try and stop the bleeding.

"I used my finger at first, but found I could not drive, so I tried a socket wrench and then found some black electrical tape that kept the bleeding to a minimum," he said.

Pettit then drove himself some 12 miles before the phone miraculously rang. Pettit said it was his daughter, calling to ask why he was not at her birthday party.

After several 911 calls, officials were able to track his cell phone to his location. He was air-lifted to McKay-Dee Hospital where he is undergoing treatment for his wounds.


I told myself that I had to get out of there or I was going to die.

–Jonathan Pettit


Pettit said he is full of gratitude as a result of his sirvival, and thanked the "Golden Spike National Historic site, the Sheriff Officers, LifeFlight, and the doctors and nurses at McKay-Dee Hospital for their care."

"I am grateful that I will get to see my wife and two children and look forward to the rest of my life," he said.

The Jonathan Pettit Donation Fund has been set up by friends of the family in order to help Pettit and his family pay for medical bills. A donation can be made to the fund at any Wells Fargo Bank.


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