It reads like something from John Kipling’s The Jungle Book stories.

Three-year-old Casey Hathaway survived two nights alone in the freezing North American woods and told rescuers that a “friend in the woods that was a bear” was with him through the entire ordeal.

Rescuers found Casey tangled up in thornbushes last week but safe after reports of a child crying were passed on to police.

Image result for what kind of bears are there in north carolina
Black bears are common through the North Carolina woods, but can deadly

“He said he hung out with a bear for two days,” said his aunt, Breanna Hathway, on social media.

“God sent him a friend to keep him safe…miracles do happen.”

Check out the incredible story below

Casey was reported missing last Tuesday when he failed to come inside after playing with two other boys in his grandmother’s backyard.

Sub-zero temperatures and brutal terrain didn’t deter a full-scale rescue mission that involved helicopters, drones, K-9 units and hundreds of local volunteers.

“He’s a survivor”, said Craven sheriff Chip Hughes of the rescue.

The story is similar to the incredible survival story last year of an 84-year-old who survived 3 days in the WA bush drinking from puddles of water.

I guess watching survival documentary’s online can come in handy after all….

Check out some more crazy survival moments from the well-known Man Vs. Wild show

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine