A motorcyclist was seriously injured after colliding with a bear on Route 122 in Petersham, Massachusetts, at approximately 10 a.m. Saturday.
The 71-year-old man from Orange, Massachusetts, was thrown from his motorcycle upon impact with the adult bear. Petersham Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene, providing initial medical assistance. Firefighters from Petersham and members of Athol Fire and EMS arrived to continue treating the motorcyclist.
Due to the severity of his injuries, a UMass Life-Flight helicopter was summoned. The man was transported by ambulance to Petersham Center School before being airlifted to a medical facility.
A tow truck was called to remove the damaged motorcycle from the accident site. Authorities have not confirmed the extent of the motorcyclist’s injuries or the bear’s condition following the crash.
No additional details are currently available, and the incident remains under investigation. According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the state’s black bear population has been increasing since the 1970s, with an estimated 4,500 bears in the area.
Petersham is located in Worcester County and has a population of about 1,200 residents. The town is approximately 73 miles north and west of Boston.