Bear attack leaves 2 women critically injured in B.C., Mounties say
Two women have critical injuries after a bear attack on a trail in northeastern B.C., local Mounties say.
Dawson Creek RCMP said they were called just before 7 p.m. Monday about a bear attack on the Bear Mountain Cross Country Ski Club trails. Mounties were told two women, one around the age of 30 and the other around the age of 48, were unaccounted for.
About an hour later, well after sunset, officers found the victims "critically injured lying in the bush with a large boar black bear lingering nearby."
"Several attempts were made to scare the bear off, however it remained and would not leave the vicinity of the victims," Mounties said in a news release Tuesday.
"RCMP officers believed the bear to be guarding the victims, so discharged a rifle, striking the bear and killing it."
Police said the two victims were airlifted out of the area with life-threatening injuries. Both are still alive "at this time," Mounties said in their update Tuesday.
B.C. Conservation Officer Service told CTV News Vancouver it was a family of four that was out for a hike when the bear charged at them. The agency said a teenage boy was also injured during the incident and was taken to a local hospital.
"Conservation officers remain at the attack site today as the investigation continues," BCCOS said in a statement, adding the area is closed to the public. "No additional bears were located during a sweep of the area. A necropsy will be conducted on the bear, an adult male, later today."
ATTACK INVOLVING CUB
The incident in Dawson Creek wasn't the only bear attack reported in recent days. On Monday, the BCCOS shared a statement about another incident, saying an encounter happened on Friday while a woman was walking her two off-leash dogs near Forest Grove in 100 Mile House.
"The dogs ran ahead into the bush. When they came back out running towards the owner, a black bear was in pursuit," BCCOS said in its statement.
"The bear swatted and bit the woman before stopping its attack. The woman was able to leave the area and received medical treatment in hospital for bruising, scratches and minor puncture wounds."
Conservation officers went to the area to collect evidence and interview the victim. The agency concluded its investigation Monday, saying the attack appeared to be defensive and involved a sow and her cub. As a result, conservation officers won't attempt to capture or kill the bear involved.
"Warning signs have been posted in the area and nearby residents have been informed of the incident," BCCOS' statement said.
Conservation officers say those in bear country should take precautions when adventuring outdoors like making noise, staying in groups and carrying bear spray.
In the first eight months of the year, conservation officers have received more than 16,300 calls about black bears, provincial data shows. Officers attended about nine per cent of those calls in person.
From January through August, 288 bears were killed by conservation officers. Four were relocated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.