A 35-year-old man was attacked by a bear in the forests of Hälsingland on Friday, according to a report in Aftonbladet. The man was in a wooded area when the bear suddenly emerged and assaulted him, the newspaper said. He and a companion were walking and talking loudly at the time, a measure often taken to alert animals of human presence and avoid startling them.
Despite their efforts, the bear charged without warning, catching the man off guard. The animal bit him in the stomach, leaving a wound that measured 6 centimeters in length and 3 centimeters in depth, Aftonbladet detailed. The victim recounted to the newspaper that the attack was completely unexpected.
Earlier, the man had been engaged in outdoor work with a hunting companion, specifically checking whether salt licks needed replacement, Aftonbladet reported. They were in the area of Simeå, situated between the towns of Bollnäs and Ljusdal. When the bear attacked, the companion was nearby and could witness the frightening event.
In addition to the stomach injury, the victim suffered a tear on one of his legs, which early assessments suggested was caused by the bear’s claws. The leg wound added to the severity of the encounter, the newspaper indicated. During the struggle, the man managed to defend himself by delivering a forceful kick to the bear’s head, according to Aftonbladet.
This kick appeared to stun or deter the animal, as it subsequently retreated and fled the scene. The victim described the moment as one of sheer desperation, but his action likely prevented further injury. The newspaper noted that the bear’s departure ended the immediate threat.
Following the attack, the condition of the injured man was not immediately known. It was unclear whether the bear was later located or dealt with by authorities. Any official investigation into the incident has not been detailed in available reports.
The bear population in the region occasionally leads to such confrontations, but specifics of this case remain sparse.