A young boy named Cole Frazee had a heart-stopping encounter with a black bear that chased him into a Family Dollar store in Markleysburg, Pennsylvania. The 11-year-old, who was out shopping with his father, found himself face to face with the bear when he stepped out of the store briefly. Terrified, Cole thought to himself, “I’m probably going to be eaten by a bear,” as the bear ran after him, as recounted to CBS News Pittsburgh. The entire incident was captured on the store’s security cameras, showing the bear spending about 10 minutes inside the store.
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The harrowing experience began when Cole Frazee came into close contact with the towering black bear while shopping at the Family Dollar. Reacting quickly, he raced back into the store with the bear hot on his heels, just inches away from him. The young boy described the chaotic moment, saying, “And when it runs after me, I turn around, I run in the store. I’m, like, screaming and stuff.” Frazee managed to outmaneuver the bear by making a split-second decision to change direction, which led the bear away from him momentarily.
As Cole darted through the aisles of the store, his heart racing, he eventually found refuge by jumping onto the store counter alongside a cashier for safety. Both of them monitored the bear’s movements closely until they saw it head towards the back of the store. Seizing the opportunity, they swiftly left the store and made their escape. Once outside, they quickly got into their car and drove away from the danger. Meanwhile, the security cameras inside recorded the bear exploring the store, climbing behind the counter shortly after Frazee and the employee fled the scene.
Reflecting on the shocking incident, Cole Frazee expressed his relief at having escaped unharmed. He described the encounter as “one in a million” and admitted to feeling a sense of surrealness after the adrenaline-filled experience. The bear, after rummaging around the store for around 10 minutes, eventually left the premises. Despite the fear and chaos, Frazee was grateful to have come out of the ordeal safely.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission shed light on bear behaviour, noting that while most bears tend to avoid humans, those living near human settlements can become habituated and less wary. Bears are particularly active in the autumn months, seeking food sources, and may venture into populated areas if attracted by sources like bird feeders or garbage cans. The Commission advises on eliminating such attractants to prevent human-bear encounters and potential conflicts.
This thrilling encounter serves as a reminder of the unpredictable interactions that can occur between wildlife and humans, especially in regions where their habitats overlap. It also highlights the importance of understanding and respecting animal behaviour to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. Cole Frazee’s close call with the black bear is a testament to quick thinking and remaining calm in the face of danger, ultimately emerging from the situation unscathed.