Teenager recovering from bear attack at cabin in eastern Arizona, mother says

ALPINE, AZ (AZFamily) — A 15-year-old boy is recovering after being attacked by a black bear at a cabin Thursday night in eastern Arizona.

Brigham Hawkins was at his family cabin off Blue River Road in Alpine, where his mother Carol says the family has lived for years.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we think a bear would come into the house,” Carol said.

Carol says Brigham was watching YouTube with the door open when a bear came through an open door and hit him from behind.

“He didn't realize it because he was coming from behind, and he was reaching out and hitting her face twice. I touched him in the nose and cheek, then I went ahead and grabbed his forehead and the top of his head,” Carol said.

Brigham can't move quickly because he suffers from a rare neurological disorder, and after the bear left the cabin, it returned and began attacking Brigham in the arm again as well.

His brother, Parker, heard him scream and helped chase away the bear and Brigham's father.

“It was thanks to the quick reaction of his brother and his family that they were able to distract the bear from what, in a matter of seconds, could have turned into a real tragedy,” said the bear supervisor. AZ Department of Fish and Game law enforcement. Shawn Wagner.

Wagner says law enforcement killed the 3-year-old black bear about 120 feet from the cabin and the bear's body was taken to the state health lab for examination and testing rage. This is the 16th bear attack on residents in Arizona since 1990. Of those attacks, two were fatal.

“Having an attack is extremely rare,” Wagner said.

Brigham was taken to a local hospital with injuries to his face and arm and started on the rabies vaccine as a precaution, but is expected to recover.

“Everyone who came to help him, he got a big thank you and so he is handling the situation well. And everything will be fine,” Carol said.

Arizona Game and Fish reminds people who visit or live in areas of the state inhabited by bears to be aware of their surroundings.

The state agency advises securing food and other “attractants” and avoiding leaving food in a tent or grill. He also suggests setting up campsites away from places where bears might forage for food, such as bodies of water.

Go hiking in a group, make noise, and avoid wearing scented lotions, deodorants, or perfume. Keep animals on a leash.

If you encounter a bear, the AZGFD advises you not to run. Instead, back away slowly while maintaining eye contact with the bear.

Make yourself appear taller by flaunting your arms or pulling your shirt/jacket higher than your head. Authorities advise throwing objects, yelling at the bear and fighting back if it is attacked.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a news report? Send it's ours here with a brief description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.