- 15-year-old Brigham Hawkins was attacked by a black bear at his family’s vacation cabin.
- The bear entered through an open door at the Apache National Forest cabin.
- Brigham’s disorder prevents him from moving quickly, but his brother saved him
A black bear mauled a teenager with a rare neurological condition after entering an Arizona vacation cabin through an open door.
Brigham Hawkins, 15, was caught off guard by the predator that snuck inside while he was relaxing at the retreat in the Apache National Forest.
His family says he accidentally left the cabin door open, allowing the beast to enter.
Brigham’s rare neurological disorder means he cannot move quickly, so he had little hope of fending off the three-year-old bear.
Brigham Hawkins, 15, was caught off guard by the predator that snuck inside while he was relaxing at the retreat in the Apache National Forest.
Carol said she was watching videos on YouTube with the back door open when the black bear snuck in and touched her face from behind.
“He hadn’t realized because he came in from behind, walked up and punched him in the face twice,” Carol said. AZ Family.
“I hit him on the nose and cheek and then I went ahead and hit him on the forehead and the top of his head.”
Carol said the bear left the cabin after the first hit, but then returned to launch a second attack.
Fortunately, Brigham’s brother Parker was nearby outside and heard him scream. He ran to the cabin and was able to scare the bear away.
Brigham’s rare neurological disorder means he cannot move quickly, so he had little hope of fending off the three-year-old bear.
His mother, Carol Hawkins, said the family has been vacationing at the cabin off Blue River Road for years and never thought something like this could happen. (Pictured: Apache National Forest in Arizona where the bear attack occurred)
Arizona Game and Fish Department law enforcement supervisor Shawn Wagner said Parker likely saved his brother’s life.
“It was thanks to the quick reaction of his brother and his family that they were able to distract the bear from what very easily in a matter of seconds could have turned into a real tragedy there,” he told AZ Family.
Authorities were also called to the scene, where they located the bear and killed it.
His body has been taken to the state health laboratory where rabies tests are being performed.
Brigham was taken to the hospital where his wounds were treated and he was given a preventative rabies vaccine. He is expected to make a full recovery.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we think (a bear) would come into the house,” Brigham’s mother, Carol Hawkins (pictured), told AZ Family.
‘Everyone who came to help him, he thanked them very much and that’s why he’s handling it well. And he’ll be fine,” her mother told AZ Family.
Wagner said the incident is only the 16th bear attack on people in Arizona since 1990, and only two of those attacks were fatal.
“Having a seizure is extremely rare,” he said.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department advises people who vacation in areas where bears also live to be alert to their surroundings.
Authorities recommend storing food or anything else that could attract a bear and avoiding leaving remains in tents or grills.
The department also advises setting up camps away from places where bears typically forage, such as lakes and other bodies of water.
They recommend walking in groups rather than alone, making noise, and avoiding wearing perfumes that may attract bears, such as lotions, scented deodorants, or perfumes.
If you encounter a bear, you should back away slowly while maintaining eye contact; do not run.
Authorities recommend appearing as big as possible if a bear approaches by waving your arms or pulling your shirt over your head.
If attacked, the department advises throwing objects, yelling and fighting back.