A Virginia father-of-five tragically died after a bear fell out of tree and struck him in what appeared to be a hunting accident, state wildlife officials said.
Lester Harvey, 58, was with a group of fellow hunters, including his son, when a black bear fell out of a tree and hit him around 9:50 am on Monday, December 9 in Lunenburg County, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said.
The hunting group chased the apex predator up the tree before shooting at the suspended animal, which then fell onto Harvey, who was standing about 10 feet away from the bottom.
One of his fellow huntsmen then performed live-saving aid to Harvey before he was transported to a nearby hospital.
‘A member of the hunting group rendered first aid until local fire and EMS arrived on scene,’ wildlife resources spokesperson Shelby Crouch said.
However, the 58-year-old father succumbed to his injuries days later and was pronounced dead on December 13.
A Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources spokesperson said they are ‘not currently seeking any charges related to this incident,’ CBS News reported.
Harvey was born in Halifax County and was a self-employed contractor and a member of his local church, Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, according to his obituary.
The eulogy also described Harvey as ‘a friend to all’ who ‘never met a stranger.’
His son Josh, who was there at the time of the tragic incident, took to Facebook to share his sentiments of grief for his father.
‘Dad was doing what he loved most,’ Josh wrote in one social media tribute, shared while Harvey was still in the hospital.
After his father’s death, Josh called Harvey his ‘best friend’ and the ‘best dad ever.’
‘I love you dad,’ he wrote. ‘We had some great times…I am so thankful for all the memories we made and all you taught me I wouldn’t be the man I am now if it wasn’t for you.’
Harvey’s daughter, Lindsey also shared some moving words to Facebook.
‘My dad was the hardest worker I know. He was either working or hunting. The ONLY time he missed work was to hunt…I’m broken in ways I didn’t even know I could break,’ she wrote.
The huntsman’s funeral is set for December 19, according to his obituary. He is survived by his wife, April McAllister Harvey, their five children and eight grandchildren.