A worker fixing a Verizon cell tower was shot by Air Force personnel near Guernsey, Wyoming.

The incident appears to have been accidental, and the unnamed worker has been released from hospital pending surgery.

The Platte County Sheriff's Office said that three members of the US Air Force were shooting at targets with 9mm handguns and .223 rifles on Bureau of Land Management property.

The cell tower worker was shot in the left thigh, with emergency responders life-flighting him via air ambulance to a Cheyenne hospital.

“Thankfully, his injuries were not as severe as initially thought, and he was released from the hospital to schedule surgery at a later date,” Platte County Sheriff David Russell said.

"All evidence has been collected for processing, and the investigation is ongoing. It will take time to determine who is the individual at fault in this situation."

The three Air Force individuals are fully cooperating with authorities, and have been advised to remain in the area.

"We’d like to remind everyone to practice firearm safety at all times. While shooting firearms can be an enjoyable activity, it's important to be aware of your target and what's downrange," Russell said.

"Incidents like this not only pose potential criminal consequences but can also result in life-altering injuries."

In 2022, an Xfinity fiber cable in Oakland, California, was shot, causing an outage that impacted nearly 30,000 people.