Brown bear mauls man at Russian River campground
Campers advised to stay in cars until daylight because of danger
The Associated Press
(Published: July 15, 2003)
A brown bear sow mauled a man early Tuesday morning at the Russian River Campground on the Kenai Peninsula.
Dan Bigley, 25, was reported in critical condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
Doug Stockdale, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said Bigley's address was listed as Girdwood but that he may be a seasonal worker there.
A sow with two or three cubs charged several people near the stairs of the popular camping area at around 12:30 a.m., Stockdale said.
Witnesses said several brown bears with cubs as well as a black bear were spotted nearby.
Bigley was flown to Anchorage and arrived at about 3:20 a.m.
Campers were encouraged to stay in their vehicles until daylight.
The Forest Service and Alaska State Troopers discouraged fishing on the river until daylight. They also posted warning signs at the campground, trailheads and the ferry that crosses the Kenai River just below the Russian River.
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