Black bear kills Alaska teen during mountain race
A teen competing in a mountain race in Alaska was mauled and killed by a black bear on Sunday, authorities and park officials said.
Alaska State Troopers have identified 16-year-old Patrick Cooper as the victim who was running at Bird Ridge Trail as part of the Robert Spurr Memorial Hill Climb, The Alaska Dispatch reported.
“This is the worst thing that could happen,” race director Brad Precosky told the newspaper.
Adults running in the race – which was in its 29th year – embarked on a 3,400-foot climb while junior racers were to get to the halfway point.
A search was underway for the bear, which was shot in the face by a park ranger before the animal ran away.
Chugach State Park ranger Tom Crockett told the Alaska Dispatch that the black bear was estimated to be 250 pounds.
Precosky said the teen was on his way down from the trail when he started texting a family member at 12:37 p.m. that he was being chased by a bear, according to the newspaper.
Alaska State Troopers responded to the scene, and other racers offered to help search for the teen, KTUU-TV reported.
Authorities eventually found Cooper’s body in a wooded area where he was pronounced dead.
Runners reported seeing many bears, besides the one that allegedly attacked the teen, in the area during the race, according to the TV station.
Crockett said the Bird Ridge Trail and the parking lot would be closed until the wounded bear is found and killed.
Source:-Â http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/black-bear-kills-alaska-teen-mountain-race-article-1.3260245
