We're getting off track here I think Cliff.
First things first, if I see someone behaving in a dangerous way with no range disipline then they get there marching orders, period!
The original post as I understood it was not directly questioning safety but whether or not they should be allowed to retake the shot and thats how I've answered.
I deliberately didn't bring up the fact that the gun shouldn't have been loaded in the first place because I considered it irrelevent to the question posed. The scenario as I veiwed it would be that the gun would have been loaded when in a kneeling position with the gun pointing down range, no cease fire in place and the shooter in the process of getting into position with the gun still pointing down range, it discharges. No big deal.
Incidentially, have you considered (i'm sure you have) whether a springer shooter of slight build or possibly with a minor disability would find it easy or safe to load from a prone position?
Bob