WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBD) – A man and his 9-year-old daughter were hunting Wednesday when they were mistaken for deer and killed, South Carolina authorities said.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is investigating the death of the two hunters following the hunting accident on New Year’s Day.

According to DNR, four hunters were attempting to move deer, also known as driving deer, on Barracada Road in Walterboro when two hunters were shot after being mistaken for a deer.

Both hunters died at the scene from injuries sustained in the shooting.

Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey later identified the victims as 9-year-old Lauren Drawdy and 30-year-old Kim Drawdy.

Colleton County Fire Rescue said the victims were discovered about a half-mile off Barracada Road Wednesday afternoon. Coroner Harvey said an autopsy will be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina.

More information, such as whether the two were wearing blaze orange safety gear, will not be provided until the investigation is complete, DNR spokesman David Lucas said.

South Carolina has a few hunting accidents each year, Lucas said. There have been several recently near the end of deer season Wednesday.

In 2019, the state had 16 hunting accidents, Lucas said. Eleven of those involved firearms, causing two deaths. The other five involved tree stand accidents, such as falls, which led to one death.

“It’s not a thing that happens a lot,” Lucas said. “Hunting accidents are rare in general, and fatalities even more so.”

Authorities have not said if any arrests have been made or if charges will be filed.

New Year’s Day was the last day of the hunting season in South Carolina.