Two hikers sustained injuries in a bear attack near a trail at Yellowstone National Park on Monday, prompting park officials to temporarily close several areas within the park.
The incident occurred along Mystic Falls Trail, a popular scenic path near Old Faithful. The National Park Service reported that the hikers were injured by one or more bears. Emergency personnel responded quickly, and the attack is currently under investigation.
Witness Describes Finding Victim
Craig Lerman, a Baltimore man hiking the trail, told Cowboy State Daily that he encountered the first victim. “He heard me coming and started saying, ‘Help. Help me,’” Lerman recounted. “At first, I thought it was a prank or joke. Kids playing games. But when I got close to him, I knew this was a serious matter.”
The victim, reportedly a 28-year-old man, was severely injured with cuts on his face and body. Lerman noted seeing “flesh next to him.” He called 911 and kept the man conscious while staying alert for the bear’s possible return. Two park rangers arrived on foot, followed by a helicopter for evacuation. Lerman never saw the second victim, believed to be the man’s teenage brother.
Park Closures and Bear Safety
Officials closed a large area near the Midway Geyser Basin, including a section of Fairy Falls Trail north of the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and some backcountry campsites. The bear species responsible has not been identified, but this is the first bear injury incident in the park this year.
Yellowstone National Park hosts both grizzly and black bears, one of the few areas in the U.S. where both coexist. According to the National Park Service, “Grizzly bears are more aggressive than black bears and more likely to rely on their size and aggressiveness to protect themselves and their cubs from predators and other perceived threats.”
The last visitor injury from a bear occurred in September 2025, and the last fatal attack was in 2015 near Lake Village. Park officials urge visitors to follow safety guidelines and remain vigilant.
