Grizzly bear attack in B.C. area seriously injures 72-year-old woman

Woman, 72, badly hurt in B.C. grizzly bear attack
Woman, 72, badly hurt in B.C. grizzly bear attack
A 72-year-old woman has been seriously injured in a grizzly bear attack in a remote area northwest of Lillooet, B.C. A grizzly bear at the Zoo Sauvage de St-Felicien in Saint-Felicien, Que. Monday, Oct. 1, 2018.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Writer

A 72-year-old woman has been seriously injured in a grizzly bear attack in a remote area of British Columbia's Interior. 

The Conservation Officer Service says it happened Sunday outside of Gold Bridge, about 50 kilometres northwest of Lillooet. 

The service says they believe it was a defensive attack by a female grizzly that had at least one cub with her.

The service says it responded by helicopter with a three-member predator attack team along with an emergency room doctor and the woman was then airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital.

Conservation officers returned to the site on Monday to complete the investigation and retrieve the victim's personal items. 

The service says no bears have been removed or killed and it will not be setting up any capture devices. 

Warning signs have been put up in the area as a precaution, and the service says hikers should let others know about their travel plans and apply best practices for wildlife safety, including knowing what to do in an encounter. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2026.

Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

  • The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms. From breaking regional, national and international stories to the biggest events in politics, business, entertainment and lifestyle, The Canadian Press is there when it matters, giving Canadians an authentic, unbiased source, driven by truth, accuracy and timeliness.

These high-paying Metrolinx jobs have salaries up to $66 an hour and $198,000 a year

Bus driver, mechanical engineer, facility manager, and other positions are available.

Judge authorizes class action by Jewish students against McGill

Jewish student lawsuit against McGill authorized