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Savage bear attack victim regains consciousness

By 0 and 0 and 0
14 May 2015

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'The predator at this time was guarding its prey and, not wanting to share it with competitors, it jumped out of the trees.' Picture: Tatyana Nikolayeva

WARNING: garphic content!


The woman buried alive during a savage bear attack in the Amur region has regained consciousness but remains in a critical condition.

Natalya Pasternak, 55, was attacked when she was collecting birch sap in forest zone in Tynda outskirts and was only saved because the animal thought she was dead. It then sought to bury her and hide her, as if safeguarding its next meal, with the mother-of-two’s friend managing to race off to raise the alarm.

Doctors have said the post office worker remains in a serious condition but is now about to be moved from Tynda District Hospital to the Amur Regional Clinical Hospital in Blagoveshchensk. 

Lyudmila Ostapenko, deputy chief physician of the Amur Regional Clinical Hospital, said: 'The question of transporting the patient to our hospital will be decided today or tomorrow and they should be bringing her to us by medical aircraft. Now her health condition is stabilized so she will be able to endure the flight. It is too early to talk about treatment. First, we will make a physical examination and then make a decision.'

Bear attack in Tynda


Bear attack in Tynda

Natalya Pasternak, 55, was attacked when she was collecting birch sap in forest zone in Tynda outskirts and was only saved because the animal thought she was dead. Pictures: Vostokmedia, Teleport2001

Andrey Kozlov, the chief doctor of Tynda District Hospital, said that the treatment will likely be long and complicated, since the main problem is that microflora in the teeth of wild animals leads to septic complications. 

Marina Gulevich, Deputy Minister of Health of the Amur Region, commented: 'Just yesterday the patient was non-transportable. But she has now been disconnected from the ventilator, and is breathing by herself.'

More details about the shocking accident – which was photographed in graphic images – have emerged.

One of the first people on the scene was Sergei Ivanov, an expert for the Protection of Fauna of the Amur region. He said: 'Initially it was said that in the area of the sewage treatment plant a bear had ripped a dog and that a woman remained in the woods, so there were no policemen and doctors with us.

'I walked softly. The predator at this time was guarding its prey and, not wanting to share it with competitors, it jumped out of the trees to the noise [of us]. I waited until it came closer and shot from six metres - four shots, with the fifth to the head. I looked and saw a woman, almost completed buried. Only her bloodied face and one arm was sticking out, but she was alive and breathing. She was conscious.

Sergey Ivanov


Woman attacked by bear


Woman attacked by bear

Sergei Ivanov, an expert for the Protection of Fauna of the Amur region: 'She asked, 'Did you kill the bear?' Then she said, 'Dig me out'.' Pictures: Tynda TV

'She asked, 'Did you kill the bear?' Then she said, 'Dig me out'. I called to ambulance and the police. Most likely about one hour had passed since the attack to the moment I arrived. And all the while the poor woman suffered terribly.'

Mr Ivanov continued: “Only underwear remained on the woman. Her clothes were torn.

'The woman eyewitness, who called the emergency services, said that they met just here in the forest. I then walked through the woods, looking for the victim’s belongings. I came across a handbag. It hung on the tree, where they had collected birch sap.

'The second woman also suffered from the bear. She has scratches on her back. We can say that she miraculously escaped from the clutches of the beast. In other cases we would never found them both.'

Place of attack


Place of attack

Hunting experts have been surprised that the bear attacked people literary within the city limits, with the forest where the women were collecting birch sap close to the sewage treatment plant. Pictures: Google maps

The place where the accident happened is the forest zone in the outskirts of Tynda. Hunting experts have been surprised that the bear attacked people literary within the city limits, with the forest where the women were collecting birch sap close to the sewage treatment plant. 

Nikolai Stepanov, Deputy Head of Department of Protection of Fauna in the Amur region, speculated that the dog may have provoked the attack. 

He said: 'In the forest it is better to take dogs on a leash and not let them go. Seeing a wild animal, a dog begins to bark at it. The majority of dogs then get frightened and run to their owner. As a result, your pet can lead an angry bear straight to you.'

Comments (6)

where i live mate we dont have bears but we do have crocks. They will store bodies also to have a bite later.Any time you run into any wild creature which is bigger stronger and hungry you got yourself a problem mate. I hope this little lady survives and heals well. Id stay away from that area in the future because im sure thats not the only beast around. god bless.
dingo davie, boomderrie australia
19/02/2016 13:23
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I would like to send her some money, lets try to set up something for her....
Julia Nadasi, Canada
17/05/2015 16:31
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What an amazing story. Obviously this lady was extremely fortunate. I hope with todays medical knowledge and technology she will make a good recovery. I really appreciate the thoroughness and quality of the reporting in The Siberian Times. I have learned so much about Russia.
rose beninger, USA
17/05/2015 14:24
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I wanted to add that I could not bring myself to view the pictures nor the video because it was traumatic for her and for me to know of it. I heard the news on television briefly and found the Siberian Times webpage via Internet and read the impressive reporting that showed emotion, respect for the survivor and compassion. Wonderful reporting. Wonderful job. Norma Iris Montalvo (b. 1955)
Norma Iris Montalvo, OK, USA
17/05/2015 13:53
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Terrible what happened but a miracle she is alive, and a blessing she had a friend with her that made all the difference. God protected her, even if it may not seem like it. The attack would have occurred because of the natural world but for that friend being with her was God's supernatural way of saving her life, a safety marker in her path. She has a wonderful Guardian Angel watching over her and God's love. I pray she will make a complete recovery, and that all her family friends will help her overcome the trauma. She will need time and care and love. God Bless Her and the friend and that first responder.
Norma Iris Montalvo (b 1955), OK, USA
17/05/2015 13:27
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Amazing
WAIROA, New Zealand
15/05/2015 22:36
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