Vernon Patton, the 72-year-old man from Franklin County who was attacked by a bear on Sept. 3, died Sunday, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Immediately following the attack, Patton was airlifted to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville for surgery before being relocated to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Though there was initially some hope that Patton might pull through, his family issued a statement to 40/29 News last week, saying “his injuries are extensive and ultimately not survivable.”

Patton was reportedly working outside in the Mulberry Mountain area when the incident occurred. The bear was “in the process of attacking him” when Patton’s son showed up to check on him and started throwing rocks at it, Keith Stephens, the chief

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