ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A teenage girl riding in an all-night bicycle race suffered severe injuries early Sunday morning when a bear attacked her on a trail in Far North Bicentennial Park, authorities said.
Police officers with shotguns escorted medics into dark woods to retrieve the girl, who was to undergo surgery at Providence Alaska Medical Center. “She was cut up and bit pretty good,” said Anchorage officer Jean Mills.
Police declined to identify the victim, who was among about 60 participants in a 24-hour race sponsored by the Arctic Bicycle Club. Organizers canceled it after the attack and were trying to account for all riders.
After the mauling, the girl used her cellphone to call 911 but was unable to communicate, said Rick Sinnott, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Fish and Game. Another rider found her sitting on the ground and said she could utter only one word: “Bear.” It was lucky she had her helmet on, as the bear attempted to chomp her head, Sinnott said.
