A beloved mother-of-three was attacked by a bear and dragged 100 yards as she stepped out of her southern Alaska home for a jog, according to her family.
Ariean Fabrizio Colton, 36, was seriously injured in Tuesday’s bear attack, which took place on Tuesday shortly after she left her home in Kenai at about 5am local time, officials said.
Colton was only about 50 yards from her front door when she encountered the bear that ‘dragged her approximately 100 yards down the road’ to the neighbor’s property, Alaska Wildlife Trooper David Lorring told the local outlet KTUU.
Lorring said the bear, believed to be a brown bear, ‘came out of another property.’
Colton was taken to an Anchorage hospital about a two-hour drive away from her home in southern Alaska.
She remains hospitalized in stable condition, per a GoFundMe page created by her family.
Ariean Fabrizio Colton, 36, seen with her husband and three kids, was attacked by a bear on Tuesday in southern Alaska
Colton encountered the bear shortly after leaving her home in a Kenai, shorter Alaska. Her neighborhood is seen above
Colton and her family had moved to Alaska just months again and were ‘enjoying their beautiful new home’ when tragedy struck
‘She is stable, but has suffered severe injuries that will require extensive surgeries and a long hospital stay,’ the GoFundMe said.
‘The family lives 2.5 hours from the hospital and will need a lot of support as Ariean recovers.’
State troopers and a crew from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game traveled to the area to locate the bear but have not found the animal.
Colton and her family had moved to Alaska just months again and were ‘enjoying their beautiful new home’ when tragedy struck, the page added.
The Utah native was described as ‘a loving wife, mother of three, and a nurse known for her adventurous spirit and love of nature.
‘She is extremely kind-hearted, strong, and resilient, and is always willing to help those in need,’ her loved ones said.
The GoFundMe had raised over $40,000 of its $100,000 goal by Friday afternoon.
Alaska officials asked residents of the of Kenai neighborhood to stay on high alert.
Colton was only about 50 yards from her front door when she encountered the bear that ‘dragged her approximately 100 yards down the road’
State troopers and a crew from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game traveled to the area to locate the bear but have not found the animal
They advised that people visiting areas known to have bears remain vigilant when venturing outdoors and keep a close watch on children and pets.
It’s also recommended that people secure bear attractants like trash, pet food, and bird feeders.
