Camping teen awakens to 'crunching sound' as bear bites his head

CNN ^ | 7/10/17 | Euan McKirdy and Joe Sutton

[LibWhacker]

The attack happened at a Glacier View Ranch campsite. The teen woke up to a "crunching sound."

(CNN)A camp staffer at a Christian summer camp in Colorado received medical care after he was made awake early Sunday by a bear chewing on his head. The 19-year-old said that he thought he was dreaming as he heard a "crunching sound," only to wake up in "immense pain" as the black bear attempted to drag him away from the Glacier View Ranch campsite, Colorado Parks & Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill told CNN.

The victim -- who teaches wilderness survival at the camp -- told CNN affiliate KMGH about the ordeal.

"The crunching noise, I guess, was the teeth scraping against the skull as it dug in," the victim said. "It grabbed me... and pulled me. Then it bit the back of my head and (dragged) me," he told KMGH. The animal managed to drag the teenager for about 10 -12 feet before it was scared away by other staff members. "When it was dragging me, that was the slowest part. It felt like it went forever."

[Chuckster]

Food in the tent or the scent of food in the tent. Food scent on the kid or on his sleeping bag. Had a cheeseburger for supper? Wash your beard thoroughly.

All food and cooking utensils must be kept away from the camp site and definitely away from tents. If food gets on clothes, don’t keep the clothes anywhere near where you are sleeping. Some say 50 to 100 yards away, preferably hoisted up into a tree 20 feet or more above ground. A bear can smell a meal literally a mile away.