Story By: Simon Glover, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

This image shows the tragic scene after a man died when he accidentally shot himself in the head while cleaning his shotgun.

The 59-year-old man is believed to have propped the gun under his chin to clean it – not realising it was loaded – and accidentally knocked the trigger.

The tragic accident happened in the village of Kampung Perlis Simpor in the Kuala Muda District of the north-western Malaysian state of Kedah.

Picture Credit: AsiaWire

District police chief Adzly Abu Shah said the man was cleaning his Benelli shotgun on his balcony when it suddenly went off.

The man had been at home with his wife who said he had carried the gun and his cleaning kit onto the balcony just before it happened.

Assistant Commissioner Shah said: “Five minutes later, she heard a gunshot and rushed out to find what had happened. She was shocked to see her husband lifeless on the floor.”

His hands were still gripped around the gun which was between his legs with the barrel under his chin. Cops also found three shotgun shells – one empty and two unused.

Assistant Commissioner Shah said it was believed the man had accidentally shot himself under his chin while sitting on a chair to clean the shotgun.

He added that the man had a gun licence, to control pests on his farm, which he had only just renewed.

Police have launched an investigation into the death of the man whose body was taken to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, in the state capital city of Alor Setar, for a post-mortem.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.