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Backcountry Snowboarder Attacked By Bear

US Coast Guard deploys helicopter to bear attack casualty

An Alaskan man was rushed to hospital over the weekend after being attacked by a bear while out snowboarding in the backcountry. This article from Alaska Public landed in our inbox and reports that the man was out riding with some friends near Chilkoot Lake, Haines, when he was mauled, sustaining injuries to his head and hands.

“State Troopers called in the US Coast Guard for backup”

Luckily, there were other riders in the party who were able to call for help and eventually got the man airlifted to safety. They used satellite communication to call for assistance and guided the helicopter in using brightly coloured material.

State Troopers called in the US Coast Guard for backup, who sent a Jayhawk Helicopter from Air Station Sitka to evacuate the casualty to hospital in Alaska’s capital city, Juneau. The man received medical attention on the way to the hospital, his current condition is unknown, but was reported to have been awake and talking during the trip.

“Disaster can strike at any time, even for the most experienced riders”

Granted, your transceiver, probe and shovel won’t help in a situation like this (unless you got super creative maybe), but it does once again stress the importance of taking all possible precautions while out in the backcountry. Unexpected disasters can strike at any time, even for the most experienced riders, even in the most seemingly innocuous areas.

Chilkoot Lake, AK | PC: chilkootlake.com

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