Two hikers were injured in a bear attack on Monday on a trail in Yellowstone National Park, park officials reported. The National Park Service stated on Tuesday that the hikers sustained injuries from "one or more bears" on the Mystic Falls trail, located near the iconic Old Faithful geyser. Officials did not specify the bear species involved, though Yellowstone is home to both grizzly bears and black bears.
Response and Investigation
Emergency services personnel from the National Park Service responded promptly to the incident, which remains under investigation. "No further information is available at this time," officials said in a statement. The park has temporarily closed several trails and areas near the attack site as a precautionary measure.
Witness Account
Craig Lerman, a tourist from Maryland, told Cowboy State Daily that he encountered one of the injured hikers on the trail after hearing calls for help. "I was hiking up Mystic Falls Trail when I saw bear prints in the mud," Lerman said. "I kept walking a little further and saw a bloody hat with a watch torn off. He heard me coming and started saying, 'Help. Help me.' At first, I thought it was a prank or joke. Kids playing games. But when I got close to him, I knew this was a serious matter."
Lerman called 911 and stayed with the hiker, following dispatcher instructions. "He kept talking to me the entire time," Lerman added. "I ended up giving him my T-shirt because he said he was cold and wet, so I just laid it over him and reassured him help was on the way." First responders arrived shortly after, followed by a helicopter to evacuate the injured hikers to a hospital.
Bear Incident History
According to park officials, this is the first bear attack on a person in Yellowstone this year. The previous incident of a bear injuring a visitor occurred in September 2025. The last human fatality caused by a bear in Yellowstone was in 2015 in the Lake Village area. Park authorities continue to urge visitors to follow safety guidelines, including carrying bear spray, hiking in groups, and making noise to avoid surprising bears.
