A man who narrowly escaped death after being attacked by a bear vividly recalls the intense moments before the animal viciously attacked him, leaving him unconscious. Dan Bigley, who was dragged into the bushes by a massive brown bear and repeatedly bitten on the head, miraculously survived with a fractured skull but lost his sight in the brutal encounter.
The incident, which occurred during a walk in the Alaskan wilderness with his friend Jana after a day of fishing, marked a life-altering moment for Dan. He described the terrifying growl from his dog Maya that alerted them to the presence of the bear, a species known to reach heights exceeding 9 feet and weighing up to 1,500 pounds, making them formidable and agile predators.
Despite his familiarity with encountering bears in the wild, Dan sensed the unusual aggression in this particular bear, which turned out to be protecting her cubs. As they attempted to retreat, the bear lunged at Dan, leading to a harrowing struggle that ended with him being mauled and dragged into the bushes.
During the attack, Dan vividly remembers the chilling realization that he was the one emitting desperate screams as the bear sank its teeth into his skull, causing him to drift in and out of consciousness. The bear eventually left, assuming Dan was dead, allowing his friend and local fishermen to provide aid until emergency services arrived.
Dan suffered severe injuries, including severed arteries, with medical experts initially deeming his condition incompatible with life. Following a lengthy surgery and a medically-induced coma, he began a challenging recovery process that altered the course of his life. Despite the haunting memories of the incident, Dan has found solace in sharing his story and co-authoring a book, “Beyond the Bear: How I Learned to Live and Love Again after Being Blinded by a Bear,” detailing his journey of resilience and healing.
Today, residing in Anchorage, Alaska, with his family, Dan reflects on the transformative power of time, therapy, and personal growth in overcoming the trauma. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the importance of resilience and finding purpose beyond the adversities faced, embodying a message of hope and perseverance in the face of life-altering challenges.