Official announcements from relevant organizations or media reports

Lester C. Harvey Dies in Virginia After Bear Falls from Tree in Lunenburg County on December 9

Dec 17, 2024, 07:10 PM

Lester C. Harvey, a 58-year-old hunter from Phenix, Virginia, died after a bear shot by one of his hunting partners fell from a tree and landed on him on December 9 in Lunenburg County, located between Richmond and Danville. Harvey was part of a hunting group that had chased the bear up a tree. As the group moved away from the tree, a hunter shot the bear, causing it to fall approximately 10 feet onto Harvey. Despite receiving first aid from a group member and being rushed to two hospitals, Harvey succumbed to his injuries on Friday. He was a married father of five and a grandfather to eight, known as an avid outdoorsman and a self-employed contractor. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reported the incident but stated they are not currently seeking charges related to it.