Rockaway Twp. Bear attack: Minute-by-minute

The following are edited minute-by-minute highlights of 911 calls between a Boy Scout and a dispatcher, and Scoutmaster Christopher Petronino and a dispatcher, after Petronino was mauled by a bear during a hike in Rockaway Township on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 20.

Boy Scout call:

12:22 p.m. — (Dispatcher) I have a young scout on the phone claiming their scoutmaster went into a cave and there was a bear in there, and he hasn't come out, and they're a little concerned.

12:24 — (Dispatcher) Did the gentleman come out of the cave yet? (Scout) No, he's still in there. (Dispatcher) How far are you from him, not far? (Scout) About 10 feet away.

12:27 — (Scout) Is anyone on their way right now? (Dispatcher) Yes, they're all on their way. Just stay on the phone with me, alright? (Scout) OK, I promise.

12:28 — (Dispatcher to responders) He's still in there. They can talk to him but he's injured.

12:30 — (Scout) My scoutmaster suggests we get food to (lure) the bear away. (Dispatcher) Where is the bear? (Scout) In the cave. With my scoutmaster.

12:34 — (Dispatcher, hearing one scout talk about going in the cave) Tell them not go in the cave. (Scout) OK.

12:39 — (Scout) My scoutmaster's still talking.

12:41 — (Dispatcher) You guys are doing great.

12:42 — (Scout) Excuse me, are they coming in cars or walking through the woods?

12:45 — (Scout) Please tell them to hurry.

12:50 — (Scout) Mr. Petronino, are you OK?

1:03 — (Scout) Mr. Petronino, are you still OK? Mr. Petronino? Mr. Petronino?

1:06 — (Dispatcher) Is he answering you yet? (Scout) No. (Dispatcher) Keep trying, alright?

1:08 — (Scout) We can hear him.

1:09 — (Scout) Do you want us to set a signal fire?

(Between 1:11 and 1:17 p.m., the boys try several times to yell together in hopes some of the responders will hear them, but they cannot be heard. Somewhere around 1:21, the boys apparently see the bear).

1:21 — (Dispatcher) What's going on? (Scout, breathing heavily) We're going on to the blue trail. We're scared of the bear.

1:22 — (Dispatcher) Where's the bear at? (Scout) I don't know. We can't see the bear anymore.

1:24 — (Scout) We're gonna be OK.

1:26 — (Scout) I see the helicopter! Thank you so much!

1:31 — (Scout) If we don't make it out of this alive, I love you guys.

1:42 — (Scout) We see it. We're waving sticks! Do the helicopter people see it? (Dispatcher) They see you. (Scout) Oh, OK.

Scoutmaster 911 call:

1:37 — (Dispatcher) 911, where's the emergency? (Petronino) Split Rock Reservoir. Blue trail. I was mauled by a bear. I'm out of the cave (Dispatcher) OK, OK, you're out of the cave, but where are you, sir? How bad are you injured? (Petronino) Pretty bad. (Dispatcher) Are you bleeding? (Petronino) It's subsided.

1:41 — (Dispatcher) The helicopter has seen them, so that's good. (Petronino) I'm sorry about all this. (Dispatcher) No, no, no. Listen, there's nothing to be sorry about. Let's just get you taken care of. Where are you bleeding? (Petronino) Left arm, left leg, neck, and head. (Dispatcher) Left arm, left leg, neck, and head? (Petronino) Yes, sir, he got me good.

1:46 — (Dispatcher) Where are you injured, sir? (Petronino). All over... I hear people coming.

1:47 — (Dispatcher) We have the kids now. (Petronino) Good!

The full story: 911 audio reveals drama of bear attack in Rockaway Twp. http://dailyre.co/1YReON5

LISTEN to the scouts and scoutmaster's pleas for help  http://dailyre.co/1YSbHo3 

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.