DAWSON CREEK, BC: Two women are in serious condition after they were attacked by a male black bear on the Bear Mountain Cross Country Ski Club trails Monday evening…

Police say on October 3rd at approximately 6:50 PM, officers received a report of a bear attack and two victims, both females aged approximately 30 and 48 years old respectively, were reportedly under attack and unaccounted for.

RCMP officers attended the area with BC ambulance and broke into teams to search the network of trails in the area. At the time the sun had set and darkness was settling in.

At approximately 7:50 PM, two officers on a UTV located the victims critically injured laying in the bush with a large male black bear lingering nearby. Several attempts were made to scare the bear off, however it remained and would not leave the vicinity of the victims.

RCMP officers believed the bear to be guarding its victims, so an officer discharged a rifle, striking the bear and killing it. The victims were then secured and transported out of the trail network to waiting paramedics after which they were airlifted to hospital with serious life-threatening injuries. At the time, both victims were alive.

The Dawson Creek RCMP would like to extend a thank you to BC Ambulance, BC Conservation Officer Service, and South Peace Search and Rescue for their assistance which lead to the successful recovery of the victims.

The Dawson Creek RCMP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to be bear-aware when enjoying the back country. Noise makers such as bells can alert bears to your presence and decrease the likelihood of scaring a bear and provoking an attack. Always carry bear spray and travel in groups. Avoid hiking on trails in the backcountry during sunrise and sunset, which is when most animals will be most active.