Crab collector fights for life after he was ‘skinned alive by bear’ on beach in Kuril Islands

The man was collecting crabs on a beach on the island of Kunashir when he was attacked by an adult bear that was with several younger beasts. 

He is in a coma after being overpowered by the wild animal despite locals using a vehicle to chase away the beast as it savaged the man. 

Ivanovsky was clinically dead but was resuscitated by paramedics, according to reports. 

Skin was torn from his scalp, back and buttocks.

A severe injury meant his leg was amputated. 

His ear was torn off but sewn back on by surgeons. 

Ivanovsky was flown to intensive care of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk regional hospital on Sakhalin island. 

Doctors were reported to be fighting for his life. 

A second man called Alexander, 37, rushed to help him and was also injured by the bear. 

One account said: 'People threw everything to hand at (the bear).

‘It dragged Alexey, but our acquaintances …chased it away only by driving at it [by car] and dazzling with headlights.’

Paw prints in the sand suggest several bears including cubs were at the scene. 

One theory is that the attack was by a mother bear. 

In a second attack in the Russian Far East, a bear attacked two lighthouse keepers as they carried out repairs. 

One of the men was killed at Russkaya Bay, Kamchatka peninsula.

The second victim suffered injuries and was taken ashore by a military ship.

The dead was was later reported to be head of the lighthouse inspection team of military unit 13194.