Cougar Attack Leaves Mountain Biker Dead, Another Injured

This is the second fatal cougar attack to occur in the last decade in North America.

On May 19, a morning mountain bike ride 30 miles east of Seattle turned deadly when one man was killed and another was injured during an unprovoked cougar attack.

The two friends, whose names haven't been released, were riding on a remote road in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains near North Bend.

"He jumped the first victim and attacked him," said Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriff's Office. "The second victim turned and started to run away. The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. The first victim saw his friend being pulled by the cougar. He got on his bike and started to bike away."

The injured man rode for approximately two miles trying to get a cell signal and call 911.

After 30 minutes of searching, responders located the 32-year-old deceased man with the cougar standing on top of him. A missed shot by deputies spooked the cougar and it ran off.

Authorities found cougar in a tree less than 200 yards away several hours later, at which point they shot and killed it. DNA testing will take place to confirm whether it's the same animal.

Here?s a photo of the cougar that attacked two men on a mountain bike ride near North Bend today. One man died. Another man is at Harborview Medical Center tonight @komonews #komonews #Cougarattack pic.twitter.com/gVQSLL3CwB

— Tammy Mutasa (@TammyKOMO) May 20, 2018

The 31-year-old man who suffered injuries is currently in the hospital in satisfactory condition.

Patient Status Update: The 31-year-old male, who sustained injuries during a mountain lion attack near North Bend, has been upgraded to satisfactory condition. He will be admitted to the hospital for further care.

— Harborview Seattle (@harborviewmc) May 20, 2018

The last known fatal cougar attack in North America happened in 2008, when one killed a 55-year-old man in New Mexico. Saturday's deadly attack is only the second fatal incident to occur in Washington State in the last 100 years.

To view a full list of fatal cougar attacks in North America, click HERE.

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