Man slips, fatally shoots himself near Yacolt Falls
Photo courtesy of KPTV
KPTV -- The Clark County Sheriff's Office has identified the Yacolt man who investigators say accidentally shot himself with his own gun Sunday morning.
Investigators said 26-year-old Benjamin White and his girlfriend were looking for their lost dog near Yacolt Falls when she says he slipped and fell, causing his gun to fire.
White was shot in the face and died before paramedics arrived.
Members of the Volcano Rescue Team were brought in to assist in recovering White's body.
It took several hours due to the remote location and steep terrain.
Investigators said White's death appears to be a freak accident. They said he had a pistol, but it wasn't immediately known whether it was holstered at the time he fell.
Deputies said bringing a gun to the area of Yacolt Falls is logical for self-protection against bears and other dangerous wildlife.