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From Times Online
June 30, 2008

Girl's panic phone call as grizzly bear attacked

Grizzly bear

Joanna Sugden

A 14-year-old mauled by a bear during a bike race managed to make a frantic call on her mobile phone to utter just one word, “bear”, before the line went dead.

The girl was taking part in a mountain bike race in Canada. She is now in a critical condition following surgery in hospital in Anchorage.

When emergency services returned her call, another cyclist heard the phone ringing and discovered the girl lying on the ground bleeding from her head, neck, torso and legs. The bike helmet she had on may have saved her life during the attack.

Police officers with shotguns and medics, hiked two miles to reach the scene.

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"The local bear expert said it's probably a sow grizzly," said Cleo Hill, a spokeswoman for the Anchorage Fire Department. "One has been sighted in the area recently."

The attack happened on a trail in a 24-hour race put on by the Arctic Bicycle Club in Bicentennial Park, an area bordering on a national park roamed by grizzly and black bears, moose, wolves and wolverines.

About 60 riders were entered in the race, which followed a circular route along groomed trails used by hikers, bikers and skiers. The race began at noon Saturday and was to conclude at noon yesterday but was canceled after the attack.

The animal attacked the girl around 1.30am, during the darkest part of the morning. "It's not light enough to read, but it's light enough to see your way," Ms Hill said of the conditions one week after the summer solstice.

Riders could see rocks, trees and the trail but may have been using headlamps or a bike headlight, she added.

Paul Honeman, a police spokesman, said the family requested that no more information be issued on the girl's condition. "Their daughter is in a battle for her life," he said.

Who lets their 14 year old ride their bike unsupervised at 1:30 AM?

R, Groton, USA

I am glad David of San Diego pointed out your error. Check out a map of North America. It would like the bear attack occuring in Poland and the rider taken to London for treatment.
I hope the bear got away some thing like this the bear gets hunted down and killed.

Norman, Seattle, USA

Bear maulings occured frequently in Alaska's Capital City, Juneau, where I grew up in the sixties. One needs to deploy a noisy device that fends off the sow's who will attack if you happen to separate them from their cubs. Alaskans know this. I suppose she missed that memo.

William Stokes, Redlands, California, USA

There are app. 627,000 people in Alaska in app. 656,000 sq. miles. That's app. one every sq. m. In all the US there are app. 300M peop. in app. 3,500,000 sq. m. That's less than 100 p. per sq. mile. All the world's people can fit into the state of WA w/ 16 sq.' ea. Way overpopulated? Gimme a break!

Fred Di Carlo, Avondale, US

What the hell was a young teenage girl doing riding a bike on a trail at 1:30am with no adult supervision?!? This beggars belief! I know it was part of a 24-hour race, but still- she is/was 14. The parents and race organisers must take some responsibilty... Best wishes to the girl though, poor thing

Dom, Leeds,

This is what happens when humans barge in to natural space. The more humans on the planet, the more we can expect such clashes (until, of course, there is no nature left).

I do hope the young woman makes a full recovery.

Stephanie, Bristol, UK

This story actually took place in Alaska which is in the United States Not Canada. The race track is within the Municipality of Anchorage.

David Gilbreath, San Diego, USA

A story of true grit and determination.My best wishes and prayers for survival of the young lady. May she live a long healthy and happy life.

Afzal A. Neseem, Lincoln Nebraska, U.S.A.

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