CHICO A man reportedly hunting squirrels on his employer's ranch north of Chico was killed Monday morning when he fired a shotgun shell that hit a large oak limb, causing it to fall onto his head, according to the Butte County Sheriff's Office.

Coworkers found the body of Chico resident Joaquin Medina lying unconscious beside an ATV about 11:40 a.m.

The bizarre accident took place on a private road west of Cana Highway, off White Deer Lane.

Sheriff's deputies reached the remote location near the Tehama County line at 12:30 p.m. and pronounced Medina deceased.

According to a Sheriff's press release, the victim suffered major head trauma.

Emergency crews from Cal Fire-Butte County were initially told the accident involved a motorcycle crashing into a tree.

The California Highway Patrol responded to the accident initially, then turned the investigation over to the Coroner's Office. It wasn't immediately disclosed if the incident would be investigated by Cal-OSHA as an industrial accident.