Virginia Hunter Dies After Bear Falls on Him

Lester C. Harvey, a 58-year-old hunter from Phenix, Virginia, died after a bear shot by one of his hunting partners fell on him during a hunting expedition on December 9 in Lunenburg County. Harvey and his group had been tracking the bear when it climbed a tree; as they retreated, one hunter shot the bear, which then fell onto Harvey, who was standing approximately 10 feet away. Despite immediate first aid and transport to two hospitals, he succumbed to his injuries on December 13. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources stated they are not pursuing any charges related to the incident. An obituary described Harvey as a devoted family man, father of five, and an avid outdoorsman. Similar accidents involving falling bears have been reported in the past, highlighting the dangers associated with hunting.