Alaskan Man Found After Days-Long Battle With Grizzly Bear

The Trek ^ | 7-26-21 | COLLEEN GOLDHORN

[SJackson]

A coast guard helicopter was on its way to a mission in west central Alaska when weather forced them to change their planned route by about a mile. This unexpected detour led to the discovery of a man who was waving frantically for help next to a shack that had “HELP” and “SOS” scratched on the metal roof.

The victim had severe leg injuries, was noticeably sleep deprived, and was waving a white flag on his hands and knees when the officers approached the area.

It was discovered that the man had been rescued from a multi-day grizzly bear attack at his remote mining claim – stating that after the bear initially attacked, it continued to come back to the shack each night in an attempt to “finish him off”. Although he did have a pistol, he was down to his last two rounds of ammunition and likely wouldn’t have lasted too much longer if the bear continued its pursuit.

The man reported that he was dragged down to a nearby river in the initial fight, and that he hadn’t slept in days while fending off the bear. He suffered injuries to his leg and torso, which made it difficult to escape for help. Although the man’s identity is being kept private, it was reported that he is in his late 50’s or early 60’s, and had been alone at the mining claim since July 12th with no phone service. He was reported missing by his friends a few days prior after failing to return to Nome, Alaska at his expected time.

It’s uncommon for helicopters to be flagged down for help in this remote part of Alaska, and Coast Guard Commander Carbajal, who aided with the rescue, said that “if (they) would have been in the next valley over, (they) would have totally missed him”.

Although grizzly bears are common in the area, a spokeswoman for the Coast Guard in Alaska said it’s unusual for a person to be harassed by a bear in this way. In fact, only 68 people were hospitalized for injuries resulting from a bear attack in Alaska between 2010-2017, and of those hospitalized, ten had died.

According to the Coast Guard, this tragic encounter serves as a reminder to always carry some form of emergency beacon or satellite phone when spending time in remote wilderness areas.

The victim was flown by the coast guard to a hospital in Nome, Alaska to be treated for his injuries, and he is expected to survive.

[SJackson]

Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me to be on or off . And ping me is you see articles of interest.

[z3n]

Bear says “Claim! What claim?”

[Red Badger]

If it had been a shark scratch it would have made international news..................

[outofsalt]

Never bring a pistol to a bear fight.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

Sounds like a movie

[babble-on]

There’s been a follow-up story to this. It is now believed that he crashed his ATV in the river, couldn’t restart it, and made up the whole bear story because he was embarrassed by the real story.

[EEGator]

I’ll take a 454 Casull…

[drwoof]

Holy Crap! THAT is a story that will live for generations in that man’s family, none of whom will ever step foot in the forest again.

[moovova]

"What? Who says I can't eat a human a little bit at a time?"

[phoneman08]

There go the movie rights. It would have been a good one.

Sort of a remake of the old movie Night Of The Grizzly.

[Othniel77]

https://craigmedred.news/2021/07/29/getting-it-right/
Seems like more fake news from the NY Times if they can’t simple story like this right, it’s obvious we can’t trust MSM with anything, especially the stuff they want to slant.

[Roccus]

In fact, only 68 people were hospitalized for injuries resulting from a bear attack in Alaska between 2010-2017, and of those hospitalized, ten had died

I wonder how many went into the bush never to be seen or heard from again.

[ClearCase_guy]

I do believe the ATV story. I’ve never heard of a bear hunting a human over a number of days. That seems pretty far-fetched.

[PIF]

Bear says “Claim! What claim?”

—
Mistranslated:

Bear: You are threatening my cubs, I kill you.

[Alas Babylon!]

In fact, only 68 people were hospitalized for injuries resulting from a bear attack in Alaska between 2010-2017, and of those hospitalized, ten had died.

Uh-huh... That's just part of the story, Coleen...

What about the ones who were KILLED and were not hospitalized, but brought straight to the mortuary?

How many were killed by a bear and were never discovered because they were eaten?

[larrytown]

After rehab - it’s off to the local gun shop and -

“May I please see a Model 70 in 458 Lott, please? I have unfinished business to attend to.”

[Dead Corpse]

Depends on the pistol. Everything else is shot placement.

Shot placement is noticeably more difficult when something is actually chewing on you though...

[GreenHornet]

In fact, only 68 people were hospitalized for injuries resulting from a bear attack in Alaska between 2010-2017, and of those hospitalized, ten had died.

Wow! That bear racked up quite a body count!

[Alas Babylon!]

Environweenies always trying to push the narrative with half truths and half statistics.

It’s like, 300 COVID cases! Run for your lives!!!

Yet only one of the 300 got really sick, but pulled through.

They NEVER talk about that, just like they never talk about those KILLED by bears (wolves, pumas, lions, tigers, leopards, etc) outright.