Woman mauled by brown bear in Alaska despite having bear spray

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Woman mauled by brown bear in Alaska despite using bear spray

20-year-old woman was flown to an Anchorage hospital after the attack
Responders were called to the Upper Skilak Lake boat launch Tuesday after reports that a brown bear had attacked a woman
Woman suffered bites and scratches to her head, back and arm but the injuries are not life-threatening

Published: 09:54 EST, 5 August 2015 | Updated: 09:54 EST, 5 August 2015

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Attack: A 20-year-old woman was flown to an Anchorage hospital Tuesday with bites and scratches to her head, back and arm after she was mauled by a brown bear (file photo)

A 20-year-old woman on vacation in Alaska had to be flown to hospital after being mauled by a brown bear.

The woman suffered bites and scratches to her head, back and arm after she was attacked by the animal despite using bear spray to ward the animal off.

It happened just before five yesterday afternoon near Skilak Lake, a popular recreation spot on the Kenai Peninsula.

Responders who were called to the Upper Skilak Lake boat launch received a report that a brown bear had attacked a woman and she was being taken by a private boat across the lake to the launch area, said Terry Bookey, Central Emergency Services captain.

Bookey said CES requested helicopter services. Around 5:20 p.m., both CES and LifeMed arrived near the boat launch off Skilak Lake Road, southeast of Sterling.

'It sounds like she had some pretty significant injuries and will have a long road ahead of her,' Bookey said.

The woman, who was taken to Anchorage hospital was conscious and breathing. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

The woman, who has not been identified, was able to walk to the boat after the mauling.

He said the mauling occurred off Cottonwood Creek on the opposite side of the lake from the launch.

The woman was with another person, Bookey said, but it remained unclear when and how the brown bear left. Bookey said it was reported that the woman 'tried to use bear spray to no avail.'

Hidden danger: The attack happened near Skilak Lake, a popular recreation spot on the Kenai Peninsula

Defense: It was reported that the woman 'tried to use bear spray to no avail'. Above, a grizzly bear enjoys a salmon he caught on Skilak Lake in Alaska (file photo)