Dad Who Was Attacked by 70-Lb. Bear in Front of His Son Has Died, Family Says

A 72-year-old Arkansas man has died aft being injured successful a achromatic carnivore attack earlier this month, according to authorities officials and his family.

A spokesperson for nan Arkansas Game and Fish Commission told PEOPLE that Vernon Patton of Ozark, Ark., died connected Sunday, Sept. 14, little than 2 weeks aft encountering nan animal successful nan Mulberry Mountain area connected Wednesday, Sept. 3. His family besides confirmed nan news pinch KNWA/KFTA.

Prior to his death, he had been moved to hospice attraction successful Springdale.

The onslaught happened while Patton was spreading gravel connected a road. When his boy arrived to cheque connected him, he recovered his begetter being mauled, officials said successful an first connection shared pinch PEOPLE. The agency said nan juvenile antheral carnivore weighed astir 70 lbs.

The spokesperson told USA Today that Patton knowledgeable "severe cuts and puncture wounds to his caput and arms." 

In nan days aft nan attack, his family said that they did not deliberation he would survive.

"Our beloved father, grandfather, hubby and hero, Vernon Patton, was earnestly injured successful a carnivore onslaught while he was doing what he loved, moving connected his onshore pinch his family," Patton’s family said successful a connection days aft nan attack, according to ABC connection KHBS.

"Vernon is presently being cared for successful nan ICU successful Little Rock. While he remains successful unchangeable condition, his injuries are extended and yet not survivable," nan family continued.

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The AGFC spokesperson described nan uncommon incident to USA Today, noting “there person been nary documented carnivore attacks connected humans successful Arkansas successful astatine slightest 25 years.” 

According to nan North American Bear Center, achromatic bears termination little than 1 personification per twelvemonth connected mean successful North America.