ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The father of a Rhode Island man mauled by a grizzly bear in Alaska says it's a miracle his son is alive.
John O. Matson Jr. of Charlestown, R.I., was listed in fair condition Wednesday at an Anchorage hospital.
The 46-year-old Matson was attacked by the bear Monday during a guided hunt near Beaver Mountain, about 40 miles southwest of the interior town of McGrath. Bad weather prevented rescuers from quickly reaching Matson's party of three. Matson was rescued from the remote spot on Tuesday, suffering from bite marks on his head and leg.
Matson's father, John O. Matson Sr. of Hopkinton, R. I., said his son is recuperating after head surgery.
Matson Jr. was attacked about 90 minutes after wounding the bear.
Matson was mauled on Monday after he and two other men pursued the wounded bear into brush, Alaska State Troopers said.
He was with another hunter and an assistant guide near Beaver Mountain, when they spotted the bear feeding on berries about a mile away and moved toward it.
Matson fired and saw the bear roll into bushes. The hunters could hear the animal thrashing and after about a minute, it bolted out of the brush and ran into heavier brush.
The hunters waited about 90 minutes before following the bear into the thicket, where the bear attacked Matson.