TRAIL, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon hunter who helped shoot a bear got a violent surprise when the wounded animal roused itself and put him in a "bear hug."
Jackson County sheriff's spokeswoman Andrea Carlson says the injured animal grabbed 22-year-old Alex Machavo of Medford Thursday and the two rolled down a 50-foot embankment with the bear biting Machavo all the way.
Carlson says a second hunter identified as 24-year-old Nathan Shinn of Phoenix was eventually able to shoot and kill the wounded animal.
Responding deputies found Machavo on a forest road and had him rushed to a Medford hospital. The man's condition wasn't available but Carlson says his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. Shinn was unhurt.
The spokeswoman says the hunters had a tag that allowed them to shoot the bear legally.
