Vernon man fends off hungry bear

Lake Panorama — A Vernon man packing his car for a business trip was knocked down by a black bear who stole his sandwich. Henry Rouwendeal, 51, was attacked by the bear as he stood at the open trunk of his car at about 10:30 p.m. June 26. Rouwendeal told police he had a sandwich from Quick Check in the trunk. While packing, he was suddenly knocked down. When he rolled over he found a 300- to 400-pound bear standing over him. The bear grabbed his sandwich; Rouwendeal kicked the bear and it ran off toward the back of his home on Panorama Drive. Police later found the sandwich wrapper and scraps of the sandwich on the side of the house. Rouwendeal’s injuries from the fall were so severe that he was unable to move for about an hour, he told police. He eventually got to his feet and awakened his wife, a nurse, who treated his cuts and bruises. He suffered a large abrasion on his head and several heavy bruises on his knees, elbow and backside, according to the police report.