Family heard of Russian roulette casualty's injuries over Facebook

Mr Taylor was airlifted to hospital after what New South Wales police described as a 'tragic incident'

A 19-year-old man has shot himself in the head in a game of Russian roulette and is fighting for his life in hospital.

His family found out about his injuries over Facebook, his sister receiving the alarming reports and passing details on to his mother over the phone.

Josh Taylor, who is in critical condition in hospital, is reported to have fired a Smith & Wesson gun at his head while parked with three friends outside the IGA supermarket in Pitt Town, near Sydney.

Mr Taylor was airlifted to Westmead Hospital on 15 May before he underwent surgery on the afternoon of the 17 May.

On the afternoon of his surgery Mr Taylor’s mother posted on Facebook: “Come on mate, fight!!! WE need you home with us ... no words can comprehend.”

New South Wales police said they had recovered a gun from the vehicle and it was being run through forensics while detectives hoped to establish its origins.

Detective Inspector Garry Sims of New South Wales Police said: "We are comfortable at this time that it appears to be some form of misadventure rather than a targeted criminal act.

"It's a tragic incident, we feel for the young man, we feel for his family, we feel for the people there at the time."