Man accidentally shoots father dead during boar hunt

Martino Gaudioso died after son mistook him for wild pig rustling in foliage

File photo shows a wild boar. The pair were on a boar-hunting trip (PA)

An Italian man mistook his father for a boar and fatally shot him during a weekend hunting trip in southern Italy.

Local media reported the duo were moving through thick bush on the outskirts of Postiglione on Sunday when the 34-year-old glimpsed a shadow in rustling foliage and opened fire.

What he thought was a boar was his father, 55-year-old Martino Gaudioso, who was hit in his lower abdomen.

His son, who has not been publicly named, called for help and tried to stem his father’s wound and keep him alive.

However, medics were unable to save him and Mr Gaudioso succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

His son has been charged with culpable homicide.

Local media reported the area was not one where the hunting of wild boar was authorised.