Daniel Crago, a 32-year-old hiker, is recovering after a rare grizzly bear attack at Glacier National Park in Montana. He described the moment the bear charged and mauled him, saying he felt 'extremely lucky' to be alive.
The Attack
On May 28, Crago was hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail with a friend. He separated briefly to take photos on a snow field. When he looked up, he saw a grizzly bear cub and then a larger bear about 15 feet above him. 'As soon as we looked at each other, it charged towards me,' Crago said.
Despite following bear encounter protocols and carrying bear spray, Crago had no time to react. The bear bit his right forearm, breaking both bones, and dragged him about 20 feet before fleeing.
Rescue and Recovery
Crago's friend and other hikers, including a doctor, provided immediate aid. A tourniquet reduced blood loss, and he was airlifted to a hospital. He has undergone three surgeries and may need a skin graft. A GoFundMe campaign is helping with medical expenses.
Bear Encounters in Glacier
Glacier National Park is home to nearly 1,000 black and grizzly bears. While attacks are rare (odds of one in 2.1 million), the park is a hotspot. In May, a hiker was killed by a bear, the first such fatality since 1998.
Crago remains grateful: 'Whatever else is going on in life, I’m alive.'
