A bear was spotted near a Massachusetts high school Wednesday morning, prompting a shelter-in-place for students.
Acton police say the sighting was on Charter Road, near Acton Boxborough Regional School.
Ingrid Joyce, of Acton, was driving to work when she saw the bear.
"Out of the corner of my eye I could see, it was clearly a bear running around," Joyce said.
Worried that no one would believe her, Joyce pulled out her phone.
"I had to take a picture of it because no one was going to believe me, so I pulled over and took a picture," Joyce said. "I almost got out of my car but then, then thought...decided not too."
The black bear sighting prompted Acton school to issue a "shelter in place" order for several hours. The bear was spotted on school grounds.
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"He was terrified, you could tell he was very young and he was terrified," Joyce said. "Felt bad for him."
Officers from the Massachusetts Environmental Police and Acton Police responded, setting up a perimeter and eventually herding the bear away from the school.
"It was kind of a bucket list item for me, actually, i love animals," Joyce said. "He was the most beautiful animal I've ever seen. It was gorgeous, but terrified."
Schools and the district superintendent were notified, and there were extra patrols along with environmental police in the area Wednesday afternoon.
Families were also sent a letter by the school district.
All students were safe.
