Man takes on bear, escapes

In a brave act, a 45-year-old tea esate worker escaped with injuries after he made a wild bear to retreat by punching it on its face with bare hands when it attacked him at Valparai in the district today.
Chelladurai was spraying pesticides on tea plants in Anali Estate when the bear suddenly appeared from a bush and started attacking him, police said.
However, without running for life, he stood his ground and started hitting back the animal on its face continuously with his hands.
Stunned by the counter-attack, the bear took to the heels and disappeared in the bushes.

The man had been admitted to a hospital with injuries, police said.