Man seriously injured in B.C. grizzly bear attack in Kootenay region

CRANBROOK — A man has suffered “significant” injuries after a grizzly bear attack in the British Columbia Interior.

The province’s Conservation Officer Service says in a post on Facebook that the attack happened at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday along the Kootenay River near West Creston, B.C.

The post says a couple were e-biking along the river when woman heard her husband scream, then saw a bear running toward her.

The service says the woman used bear spray on the animal to deter it, then saw a second one attacking her husband.

The woman then used the bear spray again, and both bears ran off as a result.

The man was taken to hospital in Cranbrook, B.C., via ambulance and under went surgery for unspecified injuries.

The service says three major trails in the area have been closed while officers scoured the vicinity and set traps, but no bears were spotted or captured.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2025.