There's freak accidents, then there's accidents like this.

The term-freak accident doesn't even begin to do this situation justice. The unthinkable has happened to a former LSU lineman, and now he has partially lost his leg.

Matt Branch is currently recovering from an accident that took place on December 28th, in which a hunting dog accidentally shot him in the leg, leading to a partial amputation. Matt, who played for the Tigers from 2009-2011, was on a hunting trip in Mississippi in late December. According to a friend who was there during the incident, Matt placed a 12-gauge shotgun in the bed of their Polaris Ranger. This friend claims that when Matt set his gun down, he made sure the safety was on.

A short time later, while Matt was standing beside the Ranger, their black lab hunting dog jumped into the bed. He reportedly jumped right on the gun, simultaneously turning off the safety and pulling the trigger. According to this friend, this sent a shot from the 12-gauge through the side of the Ranger's bed, and directly into Matt's thigh, severing his femoral artery.

Unfortunately, once in the hospital the doctors decided to amputate his leg above the knee. This friend says that Matt is in good spirits, despite the severity of his situation.

To support Matt’s recovery efforts, his family and friends have set up a GoFundMe page and organized a blood drive on Saturday in Bastrop, Louisiana.

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