A bear mauling victim is at home recovering after being attacked by a brown bear early Sunday morning.
Ben Radakovich says he was walking on Penguin Creek Trail, off Bird Creek Trail, when the attack happened.
Bird Creek Trail is about near Mile 101 of the Seward Highway.
He says he had been yelling and making noise while he hiked, but the sounds must have been drowned out by a nearby creek. When Radakovich turned a corner he saw a bear on the trail, but it wasn’t until she charged him that he saw her cub.
He says she swatted and bit him on the neck, back and head.
After the attack Radakovich climbed 30 feet up a tree where he called 911. His cell phone was in his pocket.
It took Alaska State Troopers about two hours before they could get to him.
Troopers say Radakovich was visibly thankful to be alive.
“He was pretty cold, shivering,” Trooper Tim Lewis said. “He had multiple injuries, serious injuries.”
Radakovich says he was carrying bear spray, but didn’t have time to get it out of his backpack before the attack.
Radakovich was taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center. He was released and is back at home.
Email Rebecca Palsha
