Bear attacks two near Kimberley

A man and woman have been airlifted to a Calgary hospital after surviving a bear attack near Kimberley.

Conservation officer Joe Caravetta says the attack happened late Sunday afternoon in a remote area.

Caravetta says it appears the two hikers may have startled a female bruin and two cubs, and the mother bear attacked when the woman tried to run away.

The bear then turned on the man before continuing to attack the woman, leaving both people with serious injuries to their legs, groin, head and arms.

RCMP and four conservation officers were called to the scene and are trying to track the bears to determine if a grizzly or a black bear was involved.

Caravetta says it's likely a grizzly attack because any incident involving a black bear would be quite unusual at this time of year because the animals should be hibernating. (Kimberley Daily Bulletin)