A father suffered injuries when a rifle his son was working on discharged, striking him in the lower leg Thursday on Lowe Road, a Rutherford County Sheriff's supervisor said.

The father was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Detective Sgt. Dan Goodwin said a round was left in the chamber while the boy worked on the rifle.

"It is absolutely an accident," Sgt. Goodwin said.

Sgt. Goodwin advised people cleaning or working on a firearm should first make sure it is empty.

"Take the round out of the chamber," Sgt. Goodwin said. "Never touch a trigger while cleaning or working on a firearm."