Teen injured by black bear while hiking in Washington state park

A teenage hiker was injured by a black bear in a mountainous recreation area outside Seattle on Tuesday, according to officials, who closed the trail where it happened.

About 12.45pm on Tuesday, a group of three basketball players from Thomas Jefferson high school were about 2.7 miles (4.4km) up the Mount Si trail in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area when they encountered a bear and her cubs. The conservation area is composed of four mountain peaks, and about 35 miles south-east of Seattle.

The mother bear charged the group and swiped one of the teenagers, who was scratched during the incident. Another teenage boy injured their ankle while running away.

“His injuries were very minor, but he was of course terrified. The bear tossed him around a little bit, but nothing serious. He’s on his way to the hospital right now to be checked out, get the wounds clean, and maybe get some antibiotics,” said Peter Linde, the King county sheriff’s office deputy, in a statement to NBC affiliate KING of Seattle.

The injured teenage boy was released from the hospital at 9pm local time on Tuesday.

“We are grateful to have played a role in bringing these students home, I’m sure they didn’t expect this to be the way their day unfolded, but as first-time hikers they did a lot right here – they hiked in a group, they had communications devices to be able to call 911 for help, and they cooperated with emergency responders,” said Sara Autio, information officer with King county search and rescue, in a statement.

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife said that a second group of hikers reported they were followed by a black bear on the same trail for several miles. Officials closed down the trail while they searched for the bear. Officials stated they would have to kill the bear if they found it, with relocating the bear the least harmful outcome.

The only recorded human fatality in Washington from a black bear was in 1974, according to the agency. Since 1970, state officials have recorded 20 black bear encounters with humans that resulted in a documented injury, the most recent case in 2022.

Based on the latest data, the agency estimates there are about 22,000 black bears across the state of Washington.

“If a bear walks toward you, identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands above your head, and talking in a low voice. Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Don’t run from a bear,” the agency states in advice to minimize the risk of injury if you encounter a black bear in the wild.

“WDFW recommends making noise and leashing pets while hiking. Be aware of your surroundings as to not accidentally startle a bear. While recreating, WDFW recommends carrying bear spray that is readily accessible and knowing how to use it.”