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Two women gravely injured after black bear attacks family near Dawson Creek

Leading bear expert Wayne McCrory said it was unusual for a bear to charge a group of people

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is investigating after three people were injured in a black bear attack near Dawson Creek on Oct. 3, 2022.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is investigating after three people were injured in a black bear attack near Dawson Creek on Oct. 3, 2022. Photo by BC Conservation Officer Service /Twitter

DAWSON CREEK — A family of four was charged and three were mauled by a black bear near Dawson Creek on Monday evening, leaving two women critically injured.

According to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the incident occurred at around 7 p.m. on a trail that is part of the Nordic Ski Trail system on Bear Mountain. The Bear Mountain Ski Hill is 10 kms south of Dawson Creek.

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“The family of four hiking along Wolverine Trail encountered a black bear charging at them,” the COS said in a statement.

“They turned to run and the bear chased after them. One woman was attacked by the bear, while another woman and teenage boy were also injured trying to help.”

The two women (aged 30 and 48) were critically injured and were located by first responders about an hour after they arrived.

The bear was “standing guard” over the women and could not be distracted or scared away, according to the RCMP, and was subsequently shot.

Leading Canadian bear expert Wayne McCrory said that the bear was treating its victims as prey and was not protecting cubs.

“Once it has those people down and decommissioned it’s going to defend them,” he said.

McCrory said that the black bear’s predaceous behaviour was not unusual. However, it was unusual for the bear to pursue so many people.

“It’s a pretty aggressive bear,” he said.

Both victims were airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

One woman was taken to hospital in Edmonton, and her condition is not known. The two other victims were taken to hospital in Dawson Creek.

The COS says investigators remain at the attack site, that 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,” the service said.

McCrory said he did not know the specifics of the case, but that it was essential to carry bear spray when walking in B.C. forests.

“Always spend $50 on a can of bear spray and always have it with you,” he said.

with file from Canadian Press

dcarrigg@postmedia.com