A shocking Arkansas bear attack has left a 72-year-old man in critical condition and reignited concerns over rising wildlife dangers. Vernon Patton was mauled by a 70-pound bear in Franklin County before being airlifted to Washington Regional Medical Center. He later underwent surgery and was transferred to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he remains hospitalized.
“His injuries were extensive,” Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesperson Keith Stephens told Fox News Digital. Stephens added, “It was a pretty severe attack. It attacked him on his face, his arms, his upper body.”
The assault was historic in its rarity. “This incident is highly unusual, as there have been no documented bear attacks on humans in Arkansas in at least 25 years,” Stephens told USA Today, noting the last attack may have been in the 19th century.
Patton’s son intervened, throwing rocks to drive the bear off. The animal even charged at him before retreating. Officials later euthanized the bear. “If we have an animal that attacked a human being, you’ve got to put it down,” Stephens told the Arkansas Times. “You can’t have that happening again.”
