Bear attacks teenaged girl during bike raceby Jill Burke
Sunday, June 29, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A teenage mountain bike racer is fighting for her life after being attacked by a bear on a Hillside trail early Sunday morning.

Her own quick thinking and the help of other racers competing in a day-long, overnight event likely saved her life.

Police have not released the victim's name at her family's request but authorities say she is expected to survive.

A sign on the trail tells it all: a mother grizzly bear with cubs is in Far North Bicentennial Park. And she is protective.

She charged at runners a few weeks ago and may be the same bear that mauled the young mountain bike racer.

Medic Mike Crotty was escorted into the dark woods by shotgun-armed officers in order to help the 15-year-old girl.

The teen was participating in a 24-hour bike race hosted by the Arctic Bicycle Club.

Riders, individually or in teams, biked a circuit of Hillside trails repeatedly, covering a loop nearly nine miles in length.

In past years the race was held at Kincaid Park.

Pete Basinger is a former winner who happened to find the teenager after the bear attack.

Anchorage Fire Department spokesperson Cleo Hill says the girl tried to call 911 but was unable to speak. Dispatchers could only hear someone struggling to breathe, who then whispered one word, "bear," before the line went dead.

Operators called the phone back. Another racer picked up the ringing phone and help quickly rushed in. Rescuers hiked nearly two miles to reach the girl.

Department of Fish and Game biologist Rick Sinnott also responded to the scene.

He told the Anchorage Daily News the teen suffered injuries to her head, torso and thigh. She also had a punctured lung, he said.

Police say she has spent the day undergoing surgery and is in critical but stable condition.