Alaska Skier Mauled by Bear

Man survives scary incident in backcountry
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 10, 2021 4:01 AM CST
He Was Skiing When He Accidentally Woke Up a Bear
Stock photo.   (Getty Images / aroundtheworld.photography)

An Alaska man survived a terrifying incident Saturday while skiing the backcountry near Haines, CNN reports. Authorities say the man apparently accidentally woke up a female brown bear in her den and she attacked, likely to protect a cub. "The skier who was attacked at some point realized he should play dead, which is probably a good idea in this type of circumstance," a state wildlife biologist says. His companions contacted the Coast Guard, which airlifted the victim. He was alert and talking when rescued, but had been mauled on his head and hands, the Anchorage Daily News reports. His companions continued down the mountain on their own. (More Alaska stories.)

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