Remote: A polar bear on the remote Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, which was where the 22-year-old was attacked (file photo) A terrified camper was attacked in his tent by a polar bear and dragged by his head across 130ft of rocks and ice.
Sebastian Plur Nilssen, 22, was resting during a kayak expedition around the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard when the bear struck.
As Nilssen was carried off screaming, his expedition partner, Ludvig Fjeld, 22, grabbed a rifle and fired four shots, killing the bear.
A rescue helicopter arrived at the scene within two hours.
Nilssen, from Fredrikstad, Norway, remained conscious throughout the ordeal last Thursday.
He was airlifted to hospital, where he underwent surgery on lacerations to his chest, head and neck.
A hospital spokeswoman said his injuries were not life-threatening.
Bleak: The Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean where the 22-year-old had been kayaking before the bear struck Svalbard officials said the quick actions of fjeld, from Sarpsborg, Norway, almost certainly saved the life of his colleague.
The two men had previously said they were aware there could be 'a whole lot' of polar bears in Svalbard but hoped to avoid using firearms to keep them at bay.
It remains unclear why the polar bear went on the attack, with some experts speculating that it was either hungry or merely curious.
Polar bears are protected under Norway's strict conservation laws and are allowed to be shot only in self-defence. experts say it is getting harder for polar bears to find food in the area.
source: dailymail
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