JACKSON HOLE, WYO –A boy was injured this morning in Yellowstone after a bear chased him and knocked him to the ground.
The incident occurred around 10am, Thursday, August 23. A family of four from Washington encountered a bear about a half-mile up the Divide Trail, southeast of Old Faithful.
The boy, 10, ran from the bear when it charged out of vegetation towards the family. The bear chased the boy and knocked him to the ground.
The parents effectively deployed bear spray about five feet from the bear’s face. The bear shook its head and left the area.
After the incident, the family walked back to the trailhead, drove to the Old Faithful Ranger Station where they were directed to a nearby clinic.
The 10-year-old suffered an injured wrist, puncture wounds to the back, and wounds around the buttocks. He was transferred to the Big Sky Medical Center.
Law enforcement and bear management staff responded immediately to the area and are currently investigating the incident, including looking for sign that would identify the bear species.
The Spring Creek and Divide trails are temporarily closed.
There has not been a reported bear attack in Yellowstone since 2015. On average, one bear attack per year occurs in the park.
