Current:Home > MarketsMontana man mauled by a grizzly bear gets to go home after five weeks in the hospital. -Prime Money Path
Montana man mauled by a grizzly bear gets to go home after five weeks in the hospital.
View
Date:2025-04-18 10:16:15
A hunter who was attacked by a grizzly bear in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest will go home after five weeks in the hospital where he received jaw reconstruction surgery, in addition to other procedures, the hunter, his family and doctors said at a news conference.
Rudy Noorlander, 61, was tracking deer with a group of people on Sept. 8, near Yellow Mule Trail about 50 miles southwest of Bozeman, Montana, when a grizzly bear attacked him. According to the Associated Press, the grizzly bear bit off part of his jaw.
First responders arrived in a helicopter and transferred him to a nearby hospital in Bozeman, Montana. After emergency surgery, he moved to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Noorlander's daughter, Katelynn Davis, spoke for him at a University of Utah Hospital news conference. According to Davis, Noorlander was prepared with a gun and bear spray but needed more time to stop the bear from attacking.
She explained that the only thing that helped Noorlander was that he was with a group that could scare the grizzly bear away.
Recent bear attack:73-year-old woman attacked by bear near US-Canada border, officials say; park site closed
Jaw reconstruction surgery
Dr. Hillary McCrary, a surgeon at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Utah, was present for the news conference. She explained that because his lower jaw and larynx sustained several injuries in the attack, Noorlander underwent many surgeries to correct his jaw, including a reconstruction surgery.
"We took a portion of his fibula bone and some of his skin with an artery and a vein and hooked that to an artery and a vein in the neck," said Dr. McCrary." And then my partner Dr. Cannon took some of the skin's soft tissue and transplanted that to the head and neck to reconstruct his lower lip."
Dr. Mccrary commended Noorlander on his optimism through his surgeries and recovery journey, noting that Noorlander wants to fight through his recovery.
Plans for the future
Noorlander will be able to speak again; however, because of the intensive surgery and trauma to the area around his vocal folds, there is no specific timeline for when Noorlander will fully talk again, according to Dr.McCarthy.
During the news conference, Noorlander answered questions by writing on a whiteboard. Davis was present at the press conference to speak on his behalf.
"The things that give him hope and motivation to get through this is family and life," said Davis. "My job proves that most people are good, and I can't wait to get back to it and win round two."
According to Davis, Noorlander plans to return to work and where the attack happened. It was not his first encounter with a bear; he had been walking the trail years before the attack.
Davis explained that her father would like to write a book one day and jokingly admits that he would like Cole Hauser from the hit TV show "Yellowstone" to play him in a movie.
"Only by the hands of God am I here; I've had a lot of inspirations, and I felt the need to share my story with others," said Noorlander. "Believe it or not, I believe this attack answered my prayers. And, potentially, it can help someone from going through something similar."
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- United States men's national soccer team Copa America vs. Panama: How to watch, squads
- Rivian shares soar on massive cash injection from Volkswagen, starting immediately with $1 billion
- Volkswagen is recalling over 271,000 SUVs because front passenger air bag may not inflate in a crash
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Over 60 ice cream products recalled for listeria risk: See list of affected items
- Julian Assange is now free to do or say whatever he likes. What does his future hold?
- How NBC will use an Al Michaels A.I. for 2024 Olympics
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- 'I'm sorry': Texas executes Ramiro Gonzales on birthday of 18-year-old he raped and killed
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Spurs select Stephon Castle with fourth pick of 2024 NBA draft. What you need to know
- These cities have 'impossibly unaffordable' housing, report finds
- Hawks select Zaccharie Risacher with first pick of 2024 NBA draft. What to know
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Chaotic Singles Parties are going viral on TikTok. So I went to one.
- What to stream this week: ‘The Bear,’ Camila Cabello, Megan Thee Stallion and Celine Dion
- Wisconsin youth prison staff member is declared brain-dead after inmate assault
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
College Football Player Teigan Martin Dead at 20
Jocelyn Nungaray timeline: After 12-year-old girl's body found, two charged with murder
How property owners and lawmakers are turning the tables on squatters
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
Texas inmate set to be executed on what would have been teen victim's 41st birthday
The US Tennis Association can do more to prevent abuse such as sexual misconduct, a review says
Could Nebraska lawmakers seek winner-take-all elections in a special session to address taxes?