New Jersey

Dramatic 911 Calls From NJ Bear Attack Released

Dramatic 911 calls released Monday reveal a chaotic scene as three New Jersey Boy Scouts tried to get help for their scout master who was being attacked by a bear last Sunday.

Christopher Petronino, 50, was mauled by the black bear in Rockaway Township’s Split Rock Reservoir as he entered a cave where the animal was likely hibernating.

“We’re in Split Rock Reservoir, and me and two other scouts, we went hiking,” a clearly shaken scout says on one of the 911 calls. “My scout master went into a cave and he says there’s a bear in the cave.”

“I think the bear’s on top of him,” the same scout says moments later.

On the same call, the scout can be heard yelling to the trapped scoutmaster, asking if he is okay. He also tells the 911 operator that Petronino asked the boys to throw food near the cave to lure the bear away from him.

Petronino escaped the ordeal and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at an area hospital.

Listen to more of the 911 recordings in the video above.
 

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