Three people were injured, two of them seriously, after a bear attack near Dawson Creek.
On October 3 at approximately 6:50 p.m., Dawson Creek RCMP received a report of a bear attack on the Bear Mountain Cross Country Ski Club trails. Two victims, both women aged approximately 30 and 48 years old respectively, were reportedly under attack and unaccounted for. RCMP officers attended the area with BC ambulance and broke into teams to search the network of trails in the area. At this time the sun had set and darkness was settling in.
At approximately 7:50 p.m., two officers on UTV located the victims critically injured laying 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. RCMP officers believed the bear to be guarding the victims, so they shot it. The victims were then secured and transported out of the trail network to waiting paramedics after which they were medi-vacced with serious life-threatening injuries. At this time, both victims remain alive.
Dawson Creek RCMP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to be bear-aware
when enjoying the back country. 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.