B.C. man describes bear attack: 'I'll never forget the clamping force of the bear's jaw'
It’s a moment forever seared in Gil Graham’s mind.
"I’ll never forget the clamping force of the bear’s jaw on my thigh because it was so intense, so strong, enough to make you realize he could crush your leg if he wanted to,” Graham explained.
The Metro Vancouver man survived a terrifying bear attack in Northern B.C.
The bear came after him not just once but twice.
It happened May 31 at a small mining exploration camp in a remote area north of MacKenzie.
Graham says he's encountered dozens of bears in his years of working in remote areas, but never anything like this.
He was working outside to open up the camp and when he turned around, he came face-to-face with a startled black bear. He put up his hands and stepped away, but the bear followed him and attacked.
"Ears back, paws down, looking at me, I’m looking at him. Five feet of space," Graham explained in an interview with CTV News.
"He’s, pushing me to the ground... I’m screaming - top of my lungs."
Graham said at times he felt helpless: "There’s nothing you can do. Just the power of the beast."
Still, with his leg badly bleeding, Graham did what he could to fight the bear off, using his metal flashlight to hit the animal. But the bear wouldn't leave.
When co-workers tried to help him, the bear went after them too. When they sought safety in a trailer, the bear came back for Graham.
"Of course his second approach was scary because if he’d gone somewhere else on me, things would have been considerably worse," Graham recalled.
Co-workers continued their desperate attempts to scare off the bear, throwing rocks and yelling.
"My colleague got in a pickup truck, lights on, horn blaring... he backed off enough so my colleague could get the truck between me and the bear," Graham explained.
Finally, someone in the camp shot and killed the animal. It's something Graham says is sad but was necessary.
"Everybody was still at risk while they were trying to help me. So that’s how it had to turn out," he explained.
Graham was treated remotely and then flown to hospital in Prince George where he underwent two surgeries for a deep leg wound.
He says he's healing well and is grateful for the help of his colleagues and the medical staff who treated him.
Friends have set up an online fundraiser to assist with any unexpected medical expenses as he recovers. He says any money not needed by him will be donated to assist with remote medical programs or training.
Graham says after 42 years working in the back country, he had been getting ready to call it a career.
He says he probably should have retired just a little sooner.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Nigeria's fashion and dancing styles in the spotlight as Harry, Meghan visit its largest city
Nigeria's fashion and traditional dances were at full display on Sunday as Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in its largest city, Lagos, as part of their three-day visit to the country to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people.
Montreal man facing charges following contraband drone drop at Millhaven: OPP
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says a 40-year-old man from Montreal is facing charges following a suspected drone drop of unauthorized items at the Millhaven Institution.