Professor Attacked By Bear During Mountaineering Class

A professor at University of Alaska Southeast was mauled by a bear while he was teaching a mountaineering class on Monday. The educator reportedly sustained serious injuries but his students helped him with his wounds before being transported to a hospital.

An AP report published by Yahoo Sports said 35-year-old teacher Forest Wagner was teaching a class of 11 students on Mount Emmerich in Alaska when a bear attacked him. Authorities believe that the wild animal mauled the professor since the bear had cubs and thought that they were in danger because of the presence of Wagner's class.

Grave Conditions

The attack left the professor with serious leg injuries. He was taken to Anchorage and declared in critical then serious condition as of Tuesday.

Washington Post said a helicopter transported Wagner and also the entire class out of the mountain after the bear returned to the place where they were staying. It added that none of the students were hurt and they all returned to Juneau safely.

Lesson Learned

"Forest, the teaching assistants, and the students were great in the situation," university professor Kevin Krein said. "They applied their medical and wilderness training, worked together, and responded effectively. I am very proud of them."

According to Yahoo Sports, the medical knowledge of the students in emergency situations like this helped Wagner endure his injuries despite a long wait for medical help. Though the school is not sure if anybody from the class witnessed the full attack since many of them were spread out in the mountain, it claimed that they will offer counseling to those who need it.

It Wasn't The First Time

The attack on Wagner is considered the second attack by a bear in Alaska in just a matter of days. Last Friday, a 77-year-old hunter also got mauled and landed in an Anchorage hospital because of his injuries.