Cougar attacks, kills mountain biker in Washington state
NORTH BEND, Wash. — One man was killed and another was seriously injured when they encountered a cougar Saturday while mountain biking in Washington state.
Authorities said the two men were on a morning bike ride in the foothills near North Bend when the attack occurred.
The mountain lion ran into the woods. Later, Capt. Alan Myers of the state’s Fish & Wildlife Police said agents using a hound-dog tracker shot and killed the cougar shortly before 3 p.m., the Seattle Times reported.
The 31-year-old survivor was taken to a hospital 30 miles west in Seattle. He is listed in serious condition in the emergency room but was alert and talking, Harborview Medical Center said in a statement.
A search and rescue team had been dispatched to recover the body of the deceased man.
KIRO-TV reported that the injured man called 911 shortly before 11 a.m. and shouted, “Can you hear me? Help!” and then the call hung up.
Authorities found the cougar standing over the body of the dead biker, the station reported.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the two victims were biking together or separately.
No further details were immediately available.
