Overview
- The attack happened on the Grinnell-Glacier Trail and the hiker, 32-year-old Daniel Crago, said he first saw a cub and then an adult grizzly charged and bit his right forearm.
- The attack, which occurred May 28, left Crago with open fractures to both forearm bones and he has undergone multiple surgeries with a skin graft and further procedures expected.
- A nearby physician stopped the bleeding on scene and Crago was flown by helicopter to a hospital, actions that reporters and medics say likely prevented a worse outcome.
- The U.S. National Park Service called the incident a likely “surprise encounter” caused by loud water masking detection and reiterated advice to hike in groups, make noise and carry bear spray.
- The episode is the second known bear-related attack in Glacier National Park this year, it has prompted a GoFundMe for Crago’s mounting medical bills, and it has renewed public attention on how visitors can reduce surprise bear encounters.