Bear Attack Survivor Returns Home | Anchorage News

A 27-year-old man from Washington State is recovering at home after a harrowing encounter with a brown bear on the north slope of Alaska.

He was outcaribou hunting about 100 miles from dead horse when the attack happened.

He sustained significant injuries, including to his face and limbs, but is incredibly thankful to be alive and to have kept his eyesight.

The incident occurred when he and his cousin were climbing a steep hill.

He saw movement in the bushes above, mistook it for caribou, and then a bear charged directly at him.

The animal knocked him down the hill, biting and scratching him repeatedly.

He described hearing his nose bones crunch and thought that was the end.

His cousin then intervened, firing his handgun at the bear.

The shooter emptied his entire magazine and the bear then turned its attention to him.

This gave the injured hunter a chance to draw his own weapon and fire, at which point the bear fled.

After the attack, they managed to move to a location where they could be picked up by helicopter.

He's now back with his wife and young daughters, awaiting facial reconstruction surgery.

He credits his survival to a higher power and is focusing on his recovery.

The path to full recovery is still ahead, but the immediate danger has passed.

He's dealing with lacerations but is home and surrounded by family.

It's a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the wilderness.

From your city, powered by AI, this is Anchorage News Today.

I'm Corey with The Story.