A 54-year-old man sustained multiple injuries while attempting to fight off a beaver that attacked him in the South Branch of the Raritan River Thursday, police said.

According to Raritan Township Police, the Flemington man was fishing in the river just after 5 p.m. when he noticed a beaver swim past him. After a few minutes, he lost sight of the animal, authorities said.

"The beaver then resurfaced and attacked the victim," Raritan police said in a statement.

The fisherman attempted to defend himself against the attack, but ultimately suffered an additional injury when the beaver bit his hand, police added.

"The victim was able to get himself out of the water," authorities said.

Police and members of the local rescue squad responded to the location at approximately 5:10 p.m. The victim was then transported to Hunterdon Medical Center and treated for the injuries he sustained.

Crews from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife were also called to the scene, but they were unable to locate the beaver.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, "Beavers can live anywhere a lake, stream, marsh or river is adjacent to the woodland habitat necessary to construct their iconic dams and lodges, although beavers may instead opt for a bank den."