• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Bear dragged driver’s body from vehicle after they were killed in car crash

Home> News> US News

Published 14:57 8 May 2024 GMT+1

Bear dragged driver’s body from vehicle after they were killed in car crash

The man was presumed to have died in the car crash in Massachusetts

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

A bear is believed to have dragged a man's body from his car following a crash.

On Sunday, May 5, Daniel Ducharme lost control of his car and ended up in an embankment by Route 91 in Hatfield, Massachusetts.

The 31-year-old man is believed to have died in the ordeal and was either 'fully ejected or partially ejected' from his 2016 Honda Civic upon impact.

When police arrived at the scene after a concerned passerby spotted the vehicle and called the authorities around 11am, a deceased Ducharme was outside of the 'heavily damaged' car.

It's believed a bear, who was spotted in the vicinity of the wreckage, may have dragged Ducharme's body from the vehicle.

Advert

"When first responders reached the scene, the deceased male occupant of the vehicle was outside the car and a bear was observed in the woods in the vicinity of the scene," State Police said in a statement.

"Evidence suggests the bear at some point had made contact with the victim's body."

The bear took off when police arrived at the scene.

A man died in a car crash on Sunday in Hatfield, Massachusetts. (CBS Boston)
A man died in a car crash on Sunday in Hatfield, Massachusetts. (CBS Boston)

Advert

There are reported to be around 4,500 black bears in the Hatfield region, many of whom are coming out of hibernation.

Following Ducharme's crash and the reports of a bear coming into contact with the deceased man, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs confirmed that a black bear in Hatfield has been euthanized.

"The Massachusetts Environmental Police and MassWildlife euthanized a bear in Hatfield. There is no threat to public safety," the government body said in a statement, as per Western Mass News.

According to the news outlet, police have taken down its initial report about a bear being involved after the crash.

Advert

UNILAD has approached Massachusetts State Police for comment.

There's around 4,500 black bears in the Hatfield region. (mlorenzphotography/Getty Stock)
There's around 4,500 black bears in the Hatfield region. (mlorenzphotography/Getty Stock)

It is estimated that there are at least 600,000 black bears in North America, but wildlife experts insist the large animals don't attack humans unless provoked.

In a bid to avoid encountering a bear, the National Parks Service (NPS) says: "Keeping your distance and not surprising bears are some of the most important things you can do."

Advert

It adds: "Most bears will avoid humans if they hear them coming. Pay attention to your surroundings and make a special effort to be noticeable if you are in an area with known bear activity or a good food source, such as berry bushes."

In regards to black bears, NPS says you shouldn't play dead like you would do if being attacked by a brown bear.

"Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building. If escape is not possible, try to fight back using any object available," it explains.

"Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear's face and muzzle."

Advert

Of the thousands of bears in US, they're reported to kill less than one person per year on the average, says the North American Bear Center.

Featured Image Credit: Ian Billenness/Getty / CBS Boston

Topics: News, US News, Animals

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    93% rated Amazon Prime show had Stephen King labeling it 'really smart' as fans binge all three seasons

    Fans were blown away by the 'unique' show, which even got Stephen King's seal of approval

    Film & TV
  • 10 hours ago

    Coca-Cola responds after Donald Trump makes shocking claim he's changing the recipe

    Americans could soon be tasting a new version of Coke as President Donald Trump intervenes

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Donald Trump diagnosed with chronic vein condition after recent photos sparked health concerns

    The White House's physician has revealed that the 79-year-old received a chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner tragically dies during stunt aged 56

    Felix Baumgartner is fondly remembered for one particular impressive stunt

    News
  • Dad killed in Texas floods while 'holding onto his babies' as they were swept away, witness speaks out
  • Friends and family of Idaho students killed by Bryan Kohberger explain why they thought they were 'next' in chilling new documentary
  • Siblings killed in car crash as heartbreaking details of their final moments come to light
  • 3 teens including state diving champion killed in horror car crash while on spring break in Florida