A dad and his nine-year-old daughter have been accidentally shot dead after hunters mistook them for deer.
Kim Drawdy, 30, and his daughter Lauren, were targeted by mistake during a hunting trip in South Carolina on Wednesday, New Year's Day.
Four hunters were attempting to move deer when the tragedy happened, the SC Department of Natural Resources said.
Both father and daughter sadly died of their injuries at the scene, the Post and Courier reports.
Their autopsies are due to take place on Sunday.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident, which happened in a wooded area.
Kim’s brother Benny told Live 5 WCSC the family is having a difficult time.
He said: "I was devastated. I couldn’t believe it when I first got the news.
"I said,'It couldn’t be.' It broke my heart and I couldn’t believe it, a twin brother and now there’s only one left."
A Facebook fundraising page was set up which says: "Kim Drawdy and his daughter Lauren where both tragically killed in a hunting accident on New Year's Day.
"We are trying to raise money to help with funeral costs for both of these precious souls. Anything helps, and all prayers are appreciated."
David Strickland, founder of the Carolina Wildlife Syndicate, think many of accidents happen because of a failure to teach firearm safety.
He said: "We live in a hunting culture. Gun safety is something that absolutely needs to be ingrained in the public education system."
Mr Strickland, who is a hunter himself, added: "Your two rules are, never point your barrel at something you don’t want to shoot, and always identify your target before you shoot.
"It’s also important to know what’s behind your target."
