Hunter Is Left With 'Life Threatening Injuries' After Bear He Shot Lands On Him

A hunter is fighting for his life after he shot a bear and it landed on top of him.

Twenty-eight-year-old William McCormick was flown to hospital via helicopter after he was hit by the bear when it tumbled down a slope near to Carter Lake, Alaska, this Saturday.

In a statement, the Alaskan Department of Public Safety said McCormick suffered 'life threatening' injuries.

McCormick, a soldier, was also hit by a rock that was dislodged by the bear as it tumbled down the slope, according to cops.

PA

His hunting partner, 19-year-old Zachary Tennyson, who is also a soldier, was not injured.

Both reportedly serve with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and live on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

As yet, it's not known what type of bear was involved, or whether it survived.

The state's Fish and Game Department says that bears are storing fat at this time of year, so an adult male brown bear can weigh up to 408kg (900lbs) and grizzlies can hit up to 635kg (1,400lbs).

This isn't the first time a hunter has been crushed by an animal after it had been shot; back in 2017 a South African hunter died after an elephant landed on him.

Theunis Botha was out on a hunting trip in Gwai, Zimbabwe, when they came across a breeding herd of elephants. Four elephants charged the group as they fired shots. Botha was crushed when one of the elephants landed on him.

Botha was well-known on the 'trophy-hunting' circuit and tributes poured in following his death.

The Gauteng-based Africa Big Hunt Booking Agent said: "With great sadness we confirm that fellow professional hunter, outfitter and friend Theunis Botha passed away late (Friday) afternoon during a hunting accident in Zimbabwe. All our condolences and sympathy goes to Carike and kids in this time of great loss and sadness."

However, with an issue as divisive as hunting, not everyone was quick to pass on their sympathies.

After Botha's grieving daughter dedicated a post to her late father on social media she was faced with a barrage of abuse from people saying he had 'deserved it'.

One person wrote: "You should be crying for the innocent elephant that was senselessly murdered, not this idiot hunter who deserved what he got."

Topics: US News, Hunting, Bear

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19