Black bear Photo: screenshot from a video posted by a netizen

 A 71-year-old man in Southwest China's Sichuan Province ran two kilometers to escape after being attacked by a black bear, with the distance between the man and bear at one point being only one meter, according to recent local media reports.

The man, surnamed Lan, was out in nearby mountains to gather matsutake mushroom. As Lan ascended a slope, he suddenly spotted a black bear resting on the flat ground. With just a mere meter separating them, Lan found himself face-to-face with the bear, according to his daughter, as reported by media on August 9.

Before he could react and move, the bear lunged at him. In the ensuing struggle, the bear swiped at the right side of Lan's face with such force that it tore skin and flesh from his face. The overwhelming strength of the bear rendered Lan defenseless.

However, the black bear's attack lasted for a while and paused. Lan noticed that the bear itself had a leg injury upon seeing the bear run away. Lan then hurriedly got up to escape, took off his clothes, wrapped his face wound to stop the bleeding, and fled the scene by running for two kilometers down the river. During this time, he called his wife for help.

Nearby herdsmen then discovered Lan covered in blood, and after his family members arrived, he was taken immediately to hospital. According to the report, Lan was diagnosed as displacement of the soft tissues in his face, severe fractures, and partial collapse of facial bones. One side of the nostril has been displaced.

Doctors suggested that if someone is injured by a wild animal in the wilderness, they should promptly observe the wound and stop any significant bleeding by applying pressure with clothing or using items like ropes or rubber bands to restrict blood flow.

In the event of a fracture, individuals can stabilize the affected area with nearby items such as wooden boards to prevent further harm to blood vessels, nerves, and tissues. Seeking medical attention promptly is of crucial importance.

Red Star News-Global Times