Two hikers were hospitalized following a grizzly bear attack on a hiking trail northeast of Prince George, B.C. Emergency Health Services dispatched a critical care helicopter to the scene on Sunday afternoon. The patients were then transported to the hospital after initially being taken to the Prince George Airport. One hiker was in critical condition while the other was stable.
The incident occurred in the McGregor Mountain range, a popular hiking area, where the hikers were attacked. The area has been closed off and marked as specialists look into the matter. Eamon McArthur from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service advised hikers to avoid the Pass Lake area for safety reasons.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the details of the attack, but it was mentioned that the hikers were equipped with safety gear. McArthur emphasized the importance of hiking in groups, making noise, and carrying safety items like noisemakers, bear spray, and communication devices for emergency situations. Grizzly bear attacks are infrequent in B.C., with less than one fatal attack occurring every five years on average.
