Schoolboy in hospital after falling into a cave and being attacked by a hibernating bear

By PETER ALLEN

Ski sojourn: The bizarre attack happened in the popular Swedish resort of Funasdalen


A schoolboy skier was recovering in hospital today after being attacked by a bear in one of Europe’s biggest resorts.

The youngster, who has not yet been named, fell into a cave in Funäsdalen, Sweden, while out on the slopes with his friends yesterday.

He landed next to a hibernating bear who immediately woke up and began biting the boy.

‘It was a savage attack,’ said a local police spokesman.

‘The startled bear bit the boy on both legs, and ran his claws down his back.

‘The boy was able to free himself, however, and ran away from the animal. He was rushed to hospital in Ostersund where he was treated for very serious injuries.’

The police spokesman said the bear was later located but was not shot because he was not considered a further threat to civilians.


Ski sojourn: The bizarre attack happened in the popular Swedish resort of Funasdalen


Funasdalen, which is the third largest ski area in Sweden, is becoming increasingly popular with the British.

It is made up of 10 resorts, including Funasdalen itself, and offers more than 24,000 hotel beds.

The resorts are particularly well known for their wildlife, with bears, wolves and lynx all commonplace.

A spokesman for the hospital in Ostersund said the boy was today ‘recovering well’.

source: dailymail