Teen shot in head during hunting incident

A 19-year-old Palmerston North man is in critical condition after an unintentional shooting on a farm overnight.

Detective Dave Wishnowsky said the man was shot at a farm off Tennant Drive near Palmerston North.

He has severe head injuries and was transferred to Wellington Hospital this morning.

Mr Wishnowsky said it appeared the shooting happened while a group were shooting rabbits and possums and police believed it was unintentional.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor.

Those present at the time of the shooting had been spoken to and were helping police with the investigation. Nobody else was being sought in relation to the incident.

"The witnesses and family are understandably distraught as a result of what has occurred and are providing strong support for each other," Mr Wishnowsky said.

Firearms involved had been found and seized and police had completed a scene examination.

- NZPA