DAWSON CREEK, BC -- Three people were injured after a bear attack on Bear Mountain on Monday evening.
At approximately 6:50pm, police received a report of the attack which occurred on the Bear Mountain Cross Country Ski Club.
The BC Conservation Officer Service says a family of four were hiking along Wolverine Trail, when they encountered a black bear charging at them. Two victims, females aged approximately 30 and 48 years old, were seriously injured in the attack. Another victim, a teenage boy, was also injured.
Police officers immediately attended the area along with BC Ambulance, BC Conservation Officers, and Search and Rescue. They broke into teams to search the network of trails. The sun had set and darkness was setting in at this time.
Around 7:50pm, two officers on UTVs found the victims critically injured and laying in the brush. A large boar black bear was lingering nearby. Officers made several attempts to scare the bear off, however it would not leave the area. RCMP officers believed the bear was guarding the victims.
An off duty police officer discharged a rifle, striking and killing the bear. The victims were then secured and transported out of the trail system to waiting paramedics. One of the women was medevacced to Edmonton. The others were taken to hospital in Dawson Creek. The two women sustained life-threatening injuries, but remain alive at this time.
Conservation Officers remain at the attack site today as the investigation continues. No additional bears were located during a sweep of the area. A necropsy will be conducted on the bear, an adult male, later today.
The trail system where the attack occurred has been shut down to the public.
Dawson Creek RCMP are taking this opportunity to remind the public to be “bear-aware” in the backcountry. Noise makers such as bells can alert bears to your presence and decrease the likelihood of scaring a bear and provoking an attack. Always carry bear spray and travel in groups. Avoid hiking on trails in the backcountry during sunrise and sunset, which is when most animals will be most active.
Dawson Creek RCMP would like to extend a thank-you to BC Ambulance, BC Conservation Officer Service, and South Peace Search and Rescue for their assistance which lead to the successful recovery of the victims.
