Bear Attacks Family in BC, Then Guards Two Gravely Injured Women From Rescue: RCMP

A conservation officer sets out evidence markers at the site of a black bear attack on Bear Mountain, British Columbia, in this photo provided by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service on Oct. 4, 2022. The Canadian Press/B.C. Conservation Officer Service

Police say two women are critically injured after a black bear attacked a family hiking near Dawson Creek in northeastern B.C., then guarded the victims from rescuers until it was shot dead.

A statement posted to social media by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the family of four turned and ran when the bear charged them Monday evening.