Community supports Idaho Falls man injured in hunting accident

A hunting accident puts an Idaho Falls man in the hospital, after he accidentally shot himself in the leg.

His injuries were so bad, doctors had no other choice but to amputate.

There’s no other way to describe it, but an accident.

A friend that was with him on that hunting trip saved his life, but he’s not stopping there.

34-year-old Curtis Jaussi is a husband, father of three, and an experienced hunter.

Every spring, Curtis and his friend Carson Beattie go on a bear hunting trip in central Idaho; but this year, their annual adventure took a turn for the worst.

As Curtis slid his gun out of his backpack, it fired and hit him in the leg.

“I would hold his legs and slide him down the mountain, but we didn’t get too far,” said Beattie. “I realized I was going to have to leave him and go get help. I gave him all of the water we had and told him to be positive and that I’d be back for him.”

Curtis was airlifted to Saint Alphonsus in Boise, where he is currently recovering.

The blast from the gun gave doctors no other choice, but to amputate above the knee.

Curtis will need a prosthetic leg, which comes with a steep price tag.

“This was an accident that you never thought would happen,” said Beattie. “We’re experienced, we’re careful. It was just a fluke.”

Curtis’ family and friends have set up an online fundraiser to help with medical expenses.

In just three days, more than $12,000 has been donated.

You can make a contribution at http://fundly.com/curtis-jaussi.

Curtis had a successful surgery Thursday morning. Doctors say in about five days, he can return to eastern Idaho to begin the rehabilitation process.