A Virginia hunter died Friday after a bear shot by his hunting partner fell out of a tree and landed on top of him, state wildlife officials confirmed.
Lester C. Harvey, a 58-year-old father from Phoenix, was fatally shot by his hunting partner when the bear was climbing a tree. According to Go to WTVR News. The bear landed directly on top of Harvey, who died from his injuries a few days later.
Bear falls from tree, hunter dies https://t.co/zZk3b2aD3i pic.twitter.com/P6ObgzkYpj
— WFLA News (@WFLA) December 17, 2024
The hunting group chased the bear until it climbed a tree and escaped, the paper said. While the group was hiding, one of the hunters fired, hitting the bear perched in a tree.
According to the report, Harvey was standing about 10 feet from the base of the tree when the bear fell and landed on him. Despite immediate assistance from another hunter and two hospitalizations, Harvey succumbed to his injuries, the paper said.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources confirmed the incident occurred on Dec. 9 in Lunenburg County, a rural area between Richmond and Danville, the paper reported. (Related: Officials track and tranquilize large black bear that set state record in Mississippi)
Mr. Harvey is survived by his wife, five children and eight grandchildren, Mr. Harvey said. Obituary. He was a self-employed contractor with a passion for the outdoors. Harvey’s funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
“The department is not currently pursuing charges related to this incident,” the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources told the program.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources did not immediately respond to The Daily Caller’s request for comment.
