JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk crew medevaced one male and one female after a bear mauled the two while hiking on the Sitkoh Creek Trail approximately 30 miles north of Sitka Thursday.
The aircrew hoisted the man and woman and transferred them to local emergency medical personnel in Sitka.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center were notified at 12:48 p.m. on channel 16 by the cruise vessel Wilderness Explorer that two of its passengers were mauled by a bear. Both were wilderness guides leading a group of 20 passengers hiking at the time. Paramedics on scene evaluated the two as needing medical evacuation. Both sustained multiple injuries and severe lacerations.
“This case is a reminder of the constant dangers of the Alaska wilderness,” said Scott Giard, Lead Command Center Controller at Sector Juneau. “The close coordination with the Wilderness Explorer and our dedication to training in harsh environments allowed our crew to quickly medically evacuate the two to safety."
The weather on scene at the time of the medevac was reported as 23-mph winds and approximately seven miles of visibility.
Related Video:
A Coast Guard helicopter crew medevaced a man and a woman after a bear mauled them while hiking north of Sitka, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2016.
