Karen Osborne, 63, was visiting her daughter’s home in the Catoctin Mountains when the unthinkable happened.
It isn’t uncommon for residents in the area to see bears roaming nearby, but no bear had ever come close enough to attack people.
Osborne, however, was the exception.
When her daughter’s dog began to bark frantically outside, Osborne exited the house to investigate. She unknowingly placed herself between a mother bear and her cubs.
That was when the bear attacked.
At first, Osborne tried to fight the animal off as it bit and clawed her in the face, head, arms, and legs. But it was to no avail. The bear continued its attacks, and it was only when Osborne dropped to the ground in fetal position, playing dead, that the bear let up.
Osborne’s next move was to call 911.
“Please help me,” she whispered into the phone. “I think [the bear’s] going to attack again. … Hurry, he’s broken my arms and my legs, I can’t move and I’m bleeding and I’m gonna die.”
After a moment, she added, “Please tell my husband I love him.”
Thankfully, after Osborne stopped fighting back, the bear decided to leave her alone. Help arrived just ten minutes later, and Osborne was rushed to the hospital where she received 80 stitches and care for her broken wrist.
Doctors report that she is recovering well and should be able to return home soon.
The bear has, unfortunately, been euthanized because local wildlife services fear for the safety of other local residents. However, officials reassure residents that it's normally unheard of for bears to attack people.
This grandmother's story is the “rarest of rare” incidents to happen.
You can watch a news clip of the incident here:
