Two hikers were injured in a frightening bear attack at Yellowstone National Park after what officials described as an encounter with “one or more bears” on a trail near Old Faithful.
ABC News correspondent Trevor Ault reported that the attack happened on the Mystic Falls Trail in Wyoming, where another hiker later came across signs of a violent struggle and heard one of the victims calling for help.
The National Park Service said the two hikers “sustained injuries by one or more bears,” though officials had not released the type of bear involved or the victims’ conditions at the time of the report. Ault described the incident as a possible grizzly bear attack, and the area was temporarily closed while the investigation continued.
A Trail Near Old Faithful Turns Dangerous
According to Ault’s report, the attack unfolded Monday afternoon on Mystic Falls Trail, a popular area near Old Faithful that draws visitors into one of Yellowstone’s most recognizable landscapes.
The victims were described in the broadcast as a 28-year-old man and his 14-year-old brother. Both were injured badly enough that they had to be airlifted to a hospital after emergency crews responded.
The National Park Service confirmed that its emergency services personnel responded to the scene, and officials said the incident remained under investigation.
That cautious wording matters. In a place like Yellowstone, where both black bears and grizzlies live, investigators often need time to determine exactly what happened, whether one bear or multiple bears were involved, and what circumstances led to the encounter.
Still, the details shared by the witness make clear this was not a minor brush with wildlife. It was a serious mauling on a trail where the victims were far from immediate help.
Another Hiker Followed Signs Of The Attack
Ault reported that Craig Lerman, a hiker from Maryland, was on the Mystic Falls Trail when he noticed what he described as massive paw prints in the mud.
“Definitely bear,” Lerman told ABC News.
As he continued up the trail, Lerman said he found more alarming signs. He saw a bloody hat and a watch that appeared to have been torn off, according to the report.
Those items, he later learned, belonged to one of the victims.
Lerman then heard yelling and found the 28-year-old man alone on the trail, badly wounded and calling for help.
“I have never seen anything like it before,” Lerman said, describing injuries to the man’s face, back and legs.
The scene he described is the kind of nightmare hikers are warned about but rarely expect to actually face. A quiet trail, fresh bear tracks, personal items scattered in the mud, and then a wounded person yelling from somewhere ahead.
Ault reported that Lerman called 911 and stayed with the injured hiker until help arrived. He also said Lerman gave the man his own shirt to help cover him while they waited for first responders.
“Knowing That Bear Was Still There Somewhere Was Scary”
Lerman told ABC News that the situation was terrifying not only because of the victim’s injuries, but because the bear could still have been nearby.
“It was bad,” he said. “And knowing that that bear was still there somewhere was scary as well.”
That detail adds another layer to what Lerman did. He was not simply helping someone after an accident; he was helping a badly injured stranger in bear country, with fresh signs that the animal responsible may not have gone far.
The National Park Service has not released full details about how the attack began, and Ault’s report did not indicate whether the hikers surprised the bear, encountered a bear at close range, or came near a food source or cubs.
At Yellowstone, those details are important because they can shape how officials respond afterward. Park staff may temporarily close areas, search for evidence, and determine whether the attack was defensive or predatory, though most serious grizzly encounters involving hikers are defensive in nature.
What is already clear is that another hiker’s alertness and willingness to respond may have helped get medical assistance to the victims faster.
Two Brothers Airlifted From The Park
Ault reported that the 28-year-old man and his 14-year-old brother were both airlifted to a hospital after the attack.
The National Park Service did not provide additional details about their injuries or recovery in its initial statement, but Ault said Lerman was told both victims survived and were recovering.
“I just hope that they both make it,” Lerman said. “And everyone needs to be aware of these things because you don’t really think it’s going to happen to you.”
That line may be the most useful takeaway from the entire report. Yellowstone is a highly managed national park, but it is still wild country, and trails near famous landmarks can still pass through habitat used by large predators.
The fact that a trail is popular does not remove the risk. It can sometimes make the risk feel more distant, because visitors see boardwalks, signs, parking lots, and crowds, and forget how quickly the landscape can become remote and unpredictable.
Park Areas Closed During The Investigation
According to Ault’s report, some areas of Yellowstone were temporarily closed because of the ongoing investigation.
Temporary closures after a bear attack are standard and sensible. They give park personnel room to investigate the scene, reduce the risk to other visitors, and determine whether there is an active wildlife concern in the area.
The park service said the incident happened near Mystic Falls, but it did not release many additional specifics in the immediate aftermath.
Ault also noted that Yellowstone’s previous bear attack happened in September 2025, when a 29-year-old man was injured by a grizzly while hiking alone near Turbid Lake. The last fatal bear attack in the park occurred in 2015 in the Lake Village area, according to the National Park Service.
Those numbers show that attacks are uncommon, but they are not theoretical. Yellowstone remains one of the few places in the United States where visitors may share trails with grizzlies, and that reality requires more than casual awareness.
A Reminder For Hikers In Bear Country
The report does not say what safety gear the hikers had with them or whether they were carrying bear spray, so it would be unfair to draw conclusions about their preparation.
But the incident is still a reminder of the basic precautions that matter in bear country: hike in groups when possible, make noise in areas with limited visibility, stay alert for tracks and fresh signs, avoid hiking near carcasses or dense cover, and carry bear spray where it can be reached quickly.
It is also important not to assume that a bear will always be seen before it is too close. In forested or uneven terrain, encounters can happen fast, and a startled bear may react before people have much time to think.
Lerman’s account, as reported by Ault, captures the shock of coming upon the aftermath of such an encounter. He noticed tracks, then a bloody hat and watch, then heard the calls for help.
For the two injured hikers, the trail near Old Faithful became the scene of a life-threatening emergency. For the man who found them, it became a moment that required calm action in a dangerous place.
And for everyone else heading into Yellowstone this season, it is a serious reminder that the park’s beauty comes with real wilderness risks.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.
