Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
911 Call Released In Fatal NJ Bear Attack: "I'm Scared Out Of My Mind"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 27, 2014
Modified Sep 27, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 27, 2014
Modified Sep 27, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last week, a Rutgers student was killed by a black bear while on a nature hike in NJ with some friends. Police have now released the 911 call made by victim Darsh Patel's friends after they got separated in the Apshawa Preserve. "We were hiking and we saw a bear, and we all started running and it started chasing us," the caller, who hasn't been identified, told 911. "Two of us are OK, one other person [unintelligible], but two are really close, and I'm scared out of my mind for them. I want to go back, but I'm hurt and I don't know what to do."
Patel, 22, was hiking with four friends last Sunday; when they noticed the bear beginning to follow them, they ran, splitting up while doing so. Patel was found mauled to death about two hours after the 911 call was made, with bite and claw marks on his body. Investigators concluded he'd been attacked by a four-year-old 300-pound black bear, which they found nearby and killed at the scene. According to CNN, some NJ residents saw a large black bear hunting for food near the woods the day before the attack.
Officials say this was the first ever fatal human-bear attack in NJ history. Bear sightings are extremely common around NJ—there are as many as 2,400 bears in the various forests around the state, and they have been spotted in a lot of suburban neighborhoods this summer.
As for why the bear attacked these hikers, Kelcey Burguess, principal biologist and leader of the state Division of Fish and Wildlife's black bear project, said most likely it was looking for food, particularly since there is a current shortage of the acorns and berries that bears eat. The hikers had granola bars and water with them.
Tagged
bear
bear attack
death
new jersey
nj
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
News
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC officials call for Target boycott, say ICE staged at Marble Hill lot before shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .