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Bear Mauls Girl in Alaska Bike Race

She's able to call 911 for rescuers

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 30, 2008 4:19 AM CDT

(AP) – A 14-year-old girl riding in a mountain bike race in Alaska was severely injured when she was attacked last night by a bear. She was able to make a brief emergency cell phone call and whisper the word "bear" that triggered an emergency search. The girl suffered head, neck, torso and leg wounds and was protected from even more serious wounds by her bike helmet. She underwent surgery and was in critical condition, police said.

Another bike rider stayed with her until rescuers arrived. "It had to be extremely unnerving, if not terrifying" to wait, knowing the bear could attack again, said a local official. Experts believe the teen was attacked by a female grizzly that charged two runners in the area earlier this month. The 24-hour bike race was canceled after the attack.

Grizzly, like the one that attacked teenin Alaska bike race. ((c) Carl Chapman)

Grizzly. ((c) Carl Chapman)

Grizzly bear like the one experts believed attacked the teenage girl in an Alaska bike race. ((c) Carl Chapman)

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Bear Mauls Girl in Alaska Bike Race

She's able to call 911 for rescuers

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Bear Attack Survivor: I Thought I Would Die

Teens recount Alaska terror

Alaska Grizzly Mauls Bear Hunter

Man in critical condition after state's first attack this year

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Playing dead saves Alaska man's life

Bears Eyed in New Yellowstone Hiker Death

Body found a few miles from July's killing

Alaska Bears Severely Maul Group of Teens

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She's able to call 911 for rescuers

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Alaska • attack • animal attack • grizzly bear

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Bear Attack Survivor: I Thought I Would Die

Teens recount Alaska terror

Alaska Grizzly Mauls Bear Hunter

Man in critical condition after state's first attack this year

Cyclist Survives Grizzly Attack

Playing dead saves Alaska man's life

Bears Eyed in New Yellowstone Hiker Death

Body found a few miles from July's killing

Alaska Bears Severely Maul Group of Teens

Mother, cub attack group during survival skills training

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Newser By Users

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