Boy, 17, dies after falling 10 feet from the top of a platform and impaling himself on his own gun while hunting in Mississippi

A North Carolina teen died when his hunting stand shifted and he fell onto his rifle barrel, Mississippi authorities report.

Justin Lee Smith, 17, of Supply, North Carolina, was in a ladder stand Saturday afternoon when the accident occurred, Tishomingo County coroner Mack Wilemon told WTVA.

The accident took place in the northwest part of the county near the Alcorn County line.  

Justin Lee Smith , 17, of Supply, North Carolina, died on Saturday in Mississippi when his hunting stand shifted and he fell onto his rifle barrel. A coroner said he was impaled in the chest by the barrel of the rifle and died a short time later 

Wilemon said the stand apparently turned to one side, causing Smith to fall about 10 feet from the top. 

According to Wilemon, he was impaled in his chest by the barrel of his rifle. 

Smith was able to call 911 on his cellphone, but died shortly afterward, Wilemon said.

It's unclear if Smith went out on his own to hunt, but he was alone on the stand when the accident occurred.  

Following Smith's death, a GoFundMe page was set up to help raise money for his funeral. 

'Thank you to anyone helping Jackie and Jamie with the funds for Justin's funeral. Its never easy to lose someone, but to lose them so young is devastating,' the page reads. 

In a heartbreaking Facebook post, Smith's grandmother said that her grandson not only loved to hunt, but he enjoyed fishing. She shared this image of him holding a catfish when he was younger 

'Due to a recent job change the life insurance policy that would have covered funeral expenses was deactivated. The family thanks you again for any help and prayers.'

In a heartbreaking Facebook post, Smith's grandmother said that her grandson not only loved to hunt, but he enjoyed fishing. 

'So catch some big ones till I see you again,' she wrote. 'Love you grandmas boy I’m gonna miss you but I’ll never forget you.'  

A state wildlife agency is investigating the accident. No other information was immediately available from local officials.