Bobcat attacks sleeping camper during youth wilderness program

The outing was cut short, and firefighters used boats to bring the campers off the island

A man sleeping in a hammock was attacked by a rabid bobcat during a youth campout at a Connecticut state park.

The attack happened around 2 a.m. Friday at Selden Neck State Park, where nine young people and three adults had set up camp for a wilderness program sponsored by a state agency.

The man attacked was a staff member for the program. He and the two other adults killed the bobcat; all were taken to a hospital for treatment.

None of the youth campers were injured. The outing was cut short, and firefighters used boats to bring them out of the park, which is on an island.

The bobcat tested positive for rabies, state officials confirmed on Monday.

The Wilderness School is an intervention and transition program for adolescents. It offers year-round wilderness programs ranging in length from one to 20 days that include hiking, camping and canoeing.

Selden Neck is on the Connecticut River 3 miles west of Lyme and 10 miles upriver from Long Island Sound.