911 Calls Released After Bear Attacks Scoutmaster In Morris County

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Officials on Monday released recordings of a group of Boy Scouts' 911 calls, after their scoutmaster was abducted and attacked by a bear in Rockaway Township, New Jersey.

As CBS2's Janet Wu reported, scout leader Christopher Petronino, 50, was mauled by a bear he disturbed on Sunday, Dec. 20, at Split Rock Reservoir in Rockaway Township in Morris County.

Three scouts were with him – ages 12 and 13. The boys put their training to good use, helping rescuers find and save their leader. And while he was rescued, the frantic 911 calls lasted an hour and 20 minutes, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported.

Dispatcher: "911, where's the emergency?

Scout: "We're in Split Rock Reservoir on a trail. Me and two other scouts were hiking. My scoutmaster went in a cave and a bear is in the cave with him."

Dispatcher: "What happened?"

A bear had grabbed Petronino's leg and pulled him into a cave.

Scout: "I think the bear's on top of him."

Dispatcher: "The bear's on top of him."

Scout:: "I think so."

The dispatcher kept the boy on the phone, while rescuers frantically tried to figure out their location.

The dispatcher kept the boy on the phone, while rescuers frantically tried to figure out their location.

Dispatcher: "Did the gentleman come out of the cave yet?"

Scout: "No, he's still in there."

Dispatcher: "OK. How are you from him? Not far?"

Scout: "No, like 10 feet."

Dispatcher: "OK, stay on the line."

Two of the boys started a fire – hoping to create smoke signals -- and walked back to the trail to find help.

"OK, we'll keep it contained and make it a lot of smoke," one of the scouts says to the dispatcher.

One of the scouts also put food in the cave, leaving sandwiches near the cave entrance to draw the bear out.

As rescuers closed in, one of the scouts made a poignant comment.

"Guys, if we don't make it out of this alive, I love you guys," he said.

Eventually, Petronino escaped and also managed to call 911 himself.

Petronino: "The bear pulled me into the cave and mauled me…. Where are the kids?"

Dispatcher: "They're out on the blue trail. They kids are OK…. Where are you bleeding, sir? Where are you bleeding? Your leg? Your arm?"

Petronino: "Left arm, left leg, neck, and head."

Petronino was apologetic for all the problems.

Petronino: "I'm sorry about this."

Dispatcher: "What's that?"

Petronino: "I'm sorry about all this - he pulled me into the cave."

Dispatcher: "Listen there's nothing to be sorry about, OK? Let's just get you taken care OK?"

The scouts took turns screaming, "Hello, anyone out there!" to help rescuers find them.

Petronino told authorities that when he was pulled into the cave, he first tried hitting the bear with a rock hammer. When that didn't work he pulled his coat over his head curled into the fetal position. He said the bear sat on him for over an hour.

When crews reached Petronino, they found he had bites to his leg, head and both shoulders. Paramedics flew him to Morristown Medical Center in Morristown.

Petronino is expected to survive – in part thanks to the calm actions of the three scouts. One of them was his own son.

New Jersey wildlife officials estimated that Petronino spent more than an hour inside the cave with the bear, and he is considered truly lucky to have survived.

His friends have posted on social media that he is recovering, and even cracking jokes about his encounter in the woods.