Bear attacks hunter near Olympic National Park

FORKS, Wash. — A black bear attacked and seriously injured a hunter on a road just outside Olympic National Park late Saturday, authorities said.

A second hunter shot and killed the bear before summoning help, said Larry Evans, a shift supervisor for the Washington State Patrol's office in Bremerton, on the Kitsap Peninsula between Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula.

The injured hunter was rushed to Forks Hospital with a compound fracture to the arm, a broken hand and several bite marks, Evans said.

The man lost a significant amount of blood, but was expected to survive, Evans said.

The attack was reported to the state patrol around 9 p.m., and aid workers arrived about 15 minutes later.

The bear apparently had dragged the man away from the site of the attack before being shot, Evans said.

Troopers said they receive occasional reports of cougar attacks in the area, but that bear attacks are relatively rare.

Forks is a small town near the northwest edge of Olympic National Park, one of the state's most popular attractions for hunters, anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts.