LOS ANGELES, Nov 15, (Agencies): A tragic incident occurred in Iowa as a 26-year-old Illinois man, Seth Egelhoff, lost his life in a hunting accident on Saturday. Egelhoff was part of a group of friends hunting in the Bays Branch Wildlife Area, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Des Moines when he was accidentally shot in the face around 1 pm local time, said Jeremy King, a conservation officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Upon receiving a 911 call reporting the incident in the marsh, authorities, including the Guthrie County Sheriff's Office, swiftly responded. Despite being transported by EMS via a medical helicopter, Egelhoff tragically succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.

King emphasized that the shooting appears to be accidental, and investigations are underway by the Iowa State Patrol and the Guthrie County Sheriff's Office. He clarified that there is no evidence of malicious intent within the hunting party and stressed the distraught nature of the individual responsible.

Describing the group as friends who had known each other since high school, King stated that they were on a casual hunting trip. The accident occurred when the individual was attempting to shoot a duck, highlighting the unintentional nature of the tragedy.

A GoFundMe campaign was initiated by Egelhoff's loved ones to cover funeral and travel expenses. The campaign portrayed him as "one of a kind" with a captivating smile, garnering over $40,000 in support by Tuesday afternoon. The fundraiser aimed to ease the financial burden on the grieving family, emphasizing the community's desire to provide comfort during this difficult time.