Road to recovery begins for women seriously injured in B.C. bear attack

A Northern B.C. woman suffering from "critical" injuries has been identified by friends and family members after she was attacked by a bear earlier this week.

Earlier this week, Conservation Officers reported that three hikers were sent to the hospital after they were attacked by a black bear on a trail near Dawson Creek.

Since then, a GoFundMe started for Leosette Canoy, has raised more than $14,000. While recovering at Edmonton Royal Alexandra Hospital, the funds will help cover family expenses, according to the fundraiser.

Canoy was on a hike with three other people when they were attacked, Oct. 3. The bear initially went after another hiker Analyn Bartolome but Canoy put herself between the bear and the other woman, according to the GoFundMe. Bartolome's teenaged son was also injured in the incident.

She had undergone six hours of surgery and is currently on a ventilator in the hospital and will have a long road to recovery, according to the GoFundMe.

Donations are being deposited in Canoy's husband Gary Hansen's account.

Bartolome is recovering in the hospital in Vancouver and funds raised from the other GoFundMe will be used for family travel costs to and from Vancouver.

Canoy has a 50% chance of losing her arm but is in stable condition, according to the fundraiser.

An adult male black bear was shot and killed by police. It was later confirmed to be the offending animal and no other bears were located during a sweep of the area.

A COS investigation determined it to be an “extremely rare” predatory attack.

READ MORE: Three people sent to hospital after 'predatory' bear attack in Northern B.C.

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