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.

[Rebelbase]

"‘People would rather live in Nome regardless of its grayness. There is no place like Nome.’

One of the most misunderstood movie lines in history.

"There's no place like Nome...There's no place like Nome..."

[babble-on]

Here ya go, jackass:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9838773/Miners-story-trapped-cabin-bear-just-tall-tale.html

[Bob434]

always carry some form of emergency beacon

always carry some form of emergency bacon

[Bob434]

was that where two people, sleeping in tent- got dragged out and the4 man killed while the woman runs back to vehicle way off while bear is chasing her?

[Bob434]

LOL- that comic writer is sick- in a good way

[dfwgator]

When Brian Boitano was in the Alps
Fighting grizzly bears
He used his magical fire breath
And saved the maiden’s fair

So what would Brian Boitano do
If were here today?
I’m sure he’d kick an ass or two
That’s what Brian Boitano do

[slouper]

“Back Country” pretty good bear attack movie about a young couple that go camping in the Canadian woods and get stalked by a bear. Good flick, I recommend, good for movie night on the couch with the wife or gf. Beware you will get a lot of arm squeezes and eye covers, that’s all I’ll say, no spoilers here.
Back Country - check it out.

[StAnDeliver]

"The victim had severe leg injuries, ... He suffered injuries to his leg and torso,..."

"Yep, that's consistent with driving an ATV into water."

Yeah, it pretty much is. Ozzy drove one into a small sinkhole at open throttle, flipped it azz over T-t, and broke his neck. Bourdain came within a millimeter of killing himself (early) when he rode one straight up a 50-meter sand hill in New Zealand and rolled it side-over-side halfway down before coming to his senses and finally disengaging from the seat. In my part of the Heartland, there are more ATV deaths than from donor bikes.

"Some people simply can't imagine that Yogi or Baloo will kill and eat them given a chance. Does the name Timothy Treadwell ring a bell?"

True that! Timmy was a junkie with a death wish who literally hugged a satiated grizzly. Once. Just to show the bear what was on the menu that night. Just ask Bear 141 who, when amputated, had Timmy's chicken fingers inside.

But this guy from the article, is just some 74-year-old 'prospector' mining tall tales.

[phoneman08]

Thanks! I’ll try to catch it this weekend.

I really liked Ghost and the Darkness https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116409/ and that seems somewhat similar.

[phoneman08]

Nah. That was an old movie set back in the eighteen hundreds where a grizzly after being shot (I think) stalked a family living in a cabin in the frontier. It’s been years since I saw it but I think I’ll catch it again soon.

[Bob434]

thanks, ill look it up- sounds interesting-

[null and void]

Just out of curiosity, is there any particular reason you are calling me a jackass?

[SJackson]

Thanks. It was a good story, I wouldn’t have posted a story about a guy who drove his ATV into a river. Which is also a problem in a remote area.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"Never bring a pistol with two remaining rounds to a bear fight."

[Lean-Right]

I wonder if this miner ever saw the movie
“The Edge” starring Anthony Hopkins and
Alec Baldwin.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Was it anything like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVS1UfCfxlU

[BerryDingle]

Todd Hoffman’s son left some food out around the camp, when he spoke to Todd’s son, Todd almost killed him.