On December 9, a hunting expedition in Lunenburg County, Virginia took a devastating turn when a bear, shot by one of the hunters, fell from a tree and fatally struck another member of the group. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources confirmed the unfortunate incident, which resulted in the death of Lester C. Harvey, a 58-year-old resident of Phenix, Virginia.
According to the wildlife department, the hunting group was tracking the bear when it sought refuge up a tree. As the hunters backed away from the tree, one of them fired a shot at the bear, causing it to fall and tragically land on Harvey, who was positioned approximately 10 feet away from the base of the tree.
Despite immediate first aid efforts by a fellow group member, Harvey was rushed to two different hospitals but succumbed to his injuries the following day. Described as a devoted family man and outdoors enthusiast, Harvey leaves behind a wife, five children, and eight grandchildren.
This incident is not the first of its kind, as similar hunting accidents involving bears have been reported in recent years. In 2018, a man in Alaska was critically injured when a bear, shot by his hunting partner, rolled down a slope and struck him along with dislodged rocks. Another incident in 2019 in North Carolina saw a hunter injured after a bear, shot in a tree, fell and attacked him, leading to both falling off a cliff.
These tragic events serve as stark reminders of the inherent risks associated with hunting and the importance of exercising caution and proper safety measures while engaging in such activities.
