Bear attacks hunter in east-central Minnesota

Authorities are investigating a black bear attack on a hunter in the woods of east-central Minnesota.

Pine County Sheriff Robin Cole says in a statement that the hunter had been tracking a wounded bear early Saturday. The victim told deputies the bear charged out of the darkness and knocked him to the ground, clawing and biting him. He suffered severe lacerations and bites to his chest, arms and legs. He tried to fight off the attack by stabbing at the bear with his hunting knife.

The victim was flown to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, where he's listed in stable condition.

The bear fled and has not been found, but the sheriff's office says there's no risk to the general public.

The victim's name has not been released.