A Terrifying Encounter
The incident occurred on a late Friday evening when a 29-year-old Belarusian man and his two-year senior female companion were trekking from the village of Lazisko towards the Sina hill in the Low Tatras. Upon encountering the bear, the couple split and ran in different directions, with the bear pursuing the woman. Soon after, the man lost sight of her and she did not respond to his calls.
Swift Rescue Operation
Alerted to the bear attack, a team comprising mountain rescuers, police officers, a brown bear intervention specialist, and drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras was dispatched to the scene. A service dog quickly located the woman's body beneath a rock ledge, presumably where she had fallen in her attempt to escape the wild animal. The bear was still in the vicinity but was driven away by the rescuers with the help of the dog and a warning shot.
Investigation Underway
After securing the woman's companion, who reported the bear attack and was found unharmed, the rescue team transported the woman's body away from the open area to prevent any further danger from wildlife. The preliminary cause of death identified by a forensic doctor was damage to the central nervous system due to the fall and skull trauma. The police are conducting an investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the event.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wild animals and the importance of exercising caution while hiking in areas known to be inhabited by potentially dangerous wildlife.