A hunter was killed when a bear, shot while in a tree, fell on top of him.
Lester C. Harvey, a 58-year-old from Phenix, Virginia, tragically lost his life when a bear, shot by a fellow hunter, fell from a tree and struck him. Harvey was standing about 10 feet from the base of the tree at the time. The incident occurred on December 9 in Lunenburg County, located between Richmond and Danville, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
An obituary for Lester C. Harvey described him as a devoted husband, father of five, and grandfather of eight, who had a passion for spending time outdoors. Harvey, a self-employed contractor, was remembered as a man who “was a friend to all and never met a stranger.” He was also an avid outdoorsman.
His son, Josh Harvey, expressed his grief on social media, sharing images and videos from the hunting trip as well as moments from his father’s time in the hospital.
Josh Harvey shared his heartache, saying, “He was injured extremely badly doing what he loved most along with his good friends.”
The hunting group was reportedly tracking the bear when it climbed a tree in an attempt to escape. After the bear was shot down, one of the members of the hunting party administered first aid to Harvey until emergency responders arrived, according to CBS News.
Harvey was rushed to two hospitals but sadly succumbed to his injuries on December 13, as reported by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
The department also clarified that licensed hunters are allowed to harvest bears that have climbed trees, as long as the act does not involve harming or dislodging the bear with the intent of continuing the hunt or training dogs.
A spokesperson for the department, Shelby Crouch, confirmed that no charges are being pursued in connection with the incident.
Such tragic accidents, while rare, are not unheard of.
In 2018, a hunter in Alaska sustained critical injuries when his companion shot a bear on a ridge, causing the bear to tumble down and dislodge rocks that struck the man.
Similarly, in 2019, a North Carolina hunter was injured after a bear fell from a tree and attacked him, before both the hunter and the bear plunged off a cliff.
The hunter survived the ordeal but required hospitalization, while the bear was later found dead.
