An elderly man from Ohio accidentally shot himself while reportedly under the effects of nitrous oxide at the dentist.
James White, 72, thought he heard his mobile phone ring and so went to pick it up.
But he picked up his gun instead and accidentally fired it, allegedly without realising.
White was left with a gunshot wound in his hand and a wound to his stomach where the bullet grazed him.
Staff at New Carlisle Dental Group quickly rang 911 and said: ‘We have a patient here who accidentally shot himself with a gun.’
In audio obtained by WCMH, the surprised dispatcher can be heard saying: ‘Oh!’
The 72-year-old was taken to hospital but his wounds are not said to be serious.
He may now be charged with using weapons while intoxicated, Springfield News-Sun reported.
Sgt. Christina Evans-Fisher of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office told WCMH: ‘Going into a doctor’s office where you might be placed under some kind of medication, you might not want to carry a weapon in there.
‘Think of your safety and the safety of those around you.’
Meanwhile, the dental surgery is now reassessing their policy on allowing weapons in the building.
