British woman, 67, shot dead ‘by companion holding rifle backwards over his shoulder’ during wild boar hunt in France

A BRITISH woman has died after reportedly being shot by her companion holding a rifle backwards over his shoulder during a wild boar hunt in France.

The 67-year-old was wounded above the heart and was taken to hospital in Saint-Brieuc, Brittany.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the woman was shot in the chest.

She was taken to Yves-Le Foll hospital but sadly died around midday, prosecutor Nicolas Heitz said.

Heitz and the mayor of the town, Laurent Le Faucheur, went to the scene.

A manslaughter investigation has been launched and the woman's 69-year-old companion was taken into custody.

It is understood he has since been released as French police establish the exact circumstances of the shooting.

Doctors who examined the man said he shouldn't be referred to police custody, reported.

The shooter returned negative tests for drugs and alcohol, Heitz said.

Around a dozen hunters and two guests were in the hunting party.

They had been crossing a field in the Goudelin area when the incident happened, according to the the prosecutor.

It is understood the woman's companion was holding the rifle backwards over his shoulder when it discharged.

Le Faucheur said residents and the local hunting community is still in shock.

He said: "We are affected and we are thinking of her and him who will have to take on this unfortunate gesture."

The mayor added said the woman who died was very involved with the hunting society.