A hiker who survived a grizzly bear attack in Montana is now sharing the terrifying ordeal he went through. Daniel Crago says the encounter happened at Glacier National Park, where what began as an ordinary day on the trail turned into a fight for survival when a large bear set upon him without warning.
According to Crago, he had just taken a selfie when he saw a bear cub passing by. Moments later, the cub was followed by a large grizzly. The appearance of the adult bear so close to him left him with little time to react before the animal turned its attention toward him.
Crago says the grizzly immediately pounced on him. He recalled that the bear charged at him and leaped, and that he could hear the roar of the animal as it came at him. Instinctively, he stuck his arm up in an effort to shield himself from the attack.
In that moment, Crago says he feared the worst. He described thinking that this was it, believing he might not survive as the powerful animal bore down on him. He says the bear then dragged him about twenty feet, underlining the force of the attack he endured.
Help came from others who were on the trail at the time. Crago says a doctor was among the hikers who came to his aid, providing assistance in the immediate aftermath of the mauling before he could be taken for further treatment.
The injuries he suffered were serious enough that he eventually needed three surgeries. Now recovering, Crago has chosen to recount the attack and how close he came to losing his life during what was meant to be a routine outing in the national park.