Man accidentally shoots himself
By Dwight Otwell Editor

After accidentally shooting himself on May 16, Josh Raper drove himself to his grandfather's store and was airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center.

The accident occurred off Hwy. 294 near Candy Mountain Road as Raper was doing target practice, said Cherokee County Sheriff's Lt. Joe Wood. He accidentally shot himself in the abdomen, Wood said.

Raper drove to Raper's Store, owned by his grandfather, Charlie Payne. A Life Force helicopter landed near Fields of the Wood and flew Raper to the Chattanooga medical facility where he was in the Intensive Care unit.

Josh Raper's father, Hoyt Raper, said Monday that his son is "doing real good". He may be discharged from the hospital today (Wednesday), he said.

Hoyt Raper said the doctors at Erlanger praised the work of the Hiwassee Dam Fire Department and the Rescue Squad in keeping his son stable and preparing him for the flight to Erlanger.