Four hurt when bear frightens Park horses

Several people were hurt after horses were spooked by a bear in Grand Teton National Park Friday.

Park Rangers and ambulance service medics were called to the Colter Bay Corral, operated by the Grand Teton Lodge Company, shortly after 8 a.m. Friday.

Initial investigation determined company employees were preparing for opening of horseback trails this weekend when several horses were spooked in an encounter with a female black bear with two cubs-of-the year.

Three employees were on horseback and one was walking. They were all transported by ambulance to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson with non-life threatening injuries.

An investigation is underway to determine exactly how the incident happened. A temporary closure of the area was implemented to give the bears a chance to naturally leave the area.

It is not known when the horseback trails will begin operating in the Colter Bay area.