A 72-year-old man was airlifted to the hospital after being attacked by a 70-pound bear in Arkansas, as confirmed by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesperson Keith Stephens to Fox News Digital.

“His injuries were extensive,” he told Fox News Digital. 

He added to the Arkansas Times: “It was a pretty severe attack. It attacked him on his face, his arms, his upper body.”

Stephens mentioned to USA Today that this was the first documented bear attack in Arkansas for decades, possibly dating back to the 19th century.

“This incident is highly unusual, as there have been no documented bear attacks on humans in Arkansas in at least 25 years,” he told USA Today. 

A black bear foraging in Yellowstone National Park.  (Jonathan Newton/Getty Images)

The incident occurred while Patton was working outside in the Mulberry Mountain area of Franklin County when the bear attacked him. The assault was ongoing when Patton’s son arrived on the scene.

Patton’s son attempted to fend off the bear by throwing rocks, and the bear briefly charged at him before fleeing, according to Stephens via USA Today.

Officials later euthanized the bear, Stephens said. 

The Mulberry River in Arkansas.  (Getty)

As per the Arkansas Times, Stephens stated, “If we have an animal that attacked a human being, you’ve got to put it down. You can’t have that happening again.”