A hiker who survived a grizzly bear attack at Glacier National Park in Montana has described the moment he thought he was going to die. Daniel Crago, 32, was mauled on the Grinnell Glacier Trail on 28 May during what was meant to be the final hike of a week-long trip with a friend.
Crago told ABC News that he had separated from his companion to take photographs on a snow field. As he was walking back, he saw what he believed to be a grizzly bear cub. Moments later, he looked up to see a larger grizzly about 15 feet above him. 'This bear, as soon as we looked at each other, it charged towards me,' he said.
Despite being an experienced hiker, Crago was unable to follow the recommended protocol for bear encounters. The National Park Service (NPS) said the sound of rushing water made it difficult for both the man and the bear to detect each other. Crago had bear spray but did not have time to use it. The bear bit his right forearm, breaking both bones, and dragged him about 20 feet before running away.
Fellow hikers, including a doctor, came to his aid, fashioning a tourniquet to reduce blood loss. He was airlifted to hospital and has since undergone three surgeries, with a skin graft likely needed. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to cover his medical expenses.
Bear attacks are rare at Glacier National Park, which is home to nearly 1,000 black and grizzly bears. However, in May, a hiker was killed by a bear in the park—the first such fatality since 1998. Despite his ordeal, Crago said he feels 'extremely lucky' and is 'grateful to be able to wake up every day and just make the most of each day'.
