Some think I was taking pictures, he wrote. Rowe was in the air only minutes after taking a phone call from Nate. Man who had his face torn off by a bear explains how he survived: 'I Wesley Perkins is now in the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where surgeons are planning reconstructive surgery to repair the damage done by the bear that attacked him Sunday on Alaska's. 'I was lucky enough and able to walk, with their help, into the helicopter.'. Perkins stepped from his mobile and looked around to see if he could pick up the bear tracks in the snow once again. The two men, who were experienced survivalists, put up their tents and set trip wires as a defence. A man who had his face torn off by a grizzly bear has explained how he managed to survive the attack. It's been a long road for her and the kids, too. ", The painkillers that he was given began to become addictive, Perkins said, but his family and friends supported his efforts to wean himself off: "I was on morphine, and opiates and methadone in my recovery. He does not look bad with his sunglasses on, but the twisted look of his lower face, with his mouth offset to one side, is bound to draw second glances. Despite all this, Perkins keeps moving forward with that indomitable spirit that defines the best of those living in rural Alaska. All rights reserved. "Like I said, I have to move on and keep doing what I was doing," he wrote. I have helped others my whole life, and never imagined that I would be on the receiving end of things, but the brotherhood of Nome, my brothers in the fire service, from Seattle, Anchorage, Nome, came out to support and fundraise for me and helped me through this recovery. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Wes Perkins lost his teeth, tongue and jaw in the terrifying 2011 attack in Alaska, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, Apache Junction dog attacked by coyote, security cameras reveal. Once being chased by people down an alley. Perkins, a former fire chief for the city of Nome in Alaska, told Newsweek that he managed to stay alert during the near deadly attack. He was only saved by Fjeld managing to find his gun and shoot the bear dead. And probably worst of all, for a man who always loved to talk, he is now hard to understand because he speaks with only half a tongue. Not sure there is an animal on earth more terrifying than a grizzly bear. He's not the man he once was, but he's still very appreciative to be alive. Even as the Stangs began life-saving first aid, they were radioing for help from Nome, a community far from anywhere at the tip of the Seward Peninsula jutting into the sea closer to Russia than Anchorage, the urban hub of the 49th state. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. I do everything else, he said. This followed a viscous attack on a ranger and another ranger's 12-year old son. Despite being excruciatingly disfigured, Perkins never lost contiousness. I want to go back to doing something. His dad survived and was out of the hospital after 6 days. I used a cane, as they said I had to. If hes alive now, hes going to make it. I have helped others my whole life, and never imagined that I would be on the receiving end of things, but the brotherhood of Nome, my brothers in the fire service, from Seattle, Anchorage, Nome, came out to support and fundraise for me and helped me through this recovery, Mr Perkins told Newsweek. He wasn't about to take that for a final answer. He pretty much single-handedly organized a rescue to lift his brother from the wilderness of the Kigluaik Mountains, about 30 miles east of this small community. Over ten years later, Perkins' face has healed, though the scarring remains, and he is able to live a happy life. Tough to get off.". When I turned around, the bear was that close. , updated That wasnt the end of her ordeal though as she then had to hike two miles to get to her work vehicle and then drive to get help. For several months, Perkins could not speak and was only able tocommunicate by writing. Perkins said the snow helped 'numb what was left [of his face]'. Dan Stang had rolled him forward so that his injured face was buried in the snow to keep it numb, and radioed for immediate help. In 2011, Perkins had his face ripped off. World's most horrific bear attacks revealed as beasts shatter skulls Brooke had gone out elk hunting with friends and having shot one they decided to return the next day to get the body. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, Man found alive at bottom of the sea 3 days after boat sank: "Total shock". According to Anchorage Daily News, "Wes Perkins is whole in body and still badly disfigured. James Callery For Mailonline He spent four months in hospital, undergoing a number of operations to reconstruct his face. Do lots of walking in Seattle when we are there. Perkins couldn't speak legibly for several months, relying on writing to communicate. Few things are more terrifying than the prospect of being attacked by a bear in the Alaskan wilderness. 65-year-old Wes Perkins recently shared his story with Newsweek. ", All of this due to one encounter with one bear on a hunting trip that went from a pleasant outing to a nightmare in the blink of an eye. 15:31 GMT 28 Jan 2023. However, as they tried to go up the hill towards the bear, they lost track of the animal which seemed to have disappeared. I do everything else.". wes perkins grizzly video - Creativekind.agency Wes might find it easier to write than talk now, but he still remembers how to emphasize key points. Rather than fleeing like most usually do, the bear fed into its fighting instinct, as it likely felt threatened. He nearly lost his life as essentially half of his face was ripped off by a big brown bear. Perkins, from Nome, Alaska, his friend Dan Stang, and Dan Stang's son, Edward Stang, were out in the mountains on a hunting trip. The attack happened in 2011 but 65-year-old Wes Perkins still bears the scars of a terrifying encounter with a grizzly beast in the Alaskan mountains. ", "I do what I can to pay it forward, and have always had a positive attitude.". Rather than fleeing like most usually do, the bear fed into it's fighting instinct, as it likely felt threatened. But suddenly the beast rushed out of a hole and charged him, tearing the bottom half of his face off before being shot dead by his friend and his son. The Russian suffered clinical death immediately after the attack but was resuscitated and his ear was sewn back on. The detail and information found inside this story will blow your mind. In my mind, Wes will forever be the luckiest unlucky gentleman to walk this earth. "The methadone gave me violent dreams," he added. So I was right behind her all the way. His partners were Dan Stang, a Nome dentist, and his son, Edward, a student in dentistry school. James Callery For Mailonline Bear spray doesnt always work but its better than nothing.. The tables were turned though when an 8ft grizzly bear attacked, ripping Perkins' entire face off. Also, (as) long as I lay still just right I was able to keep my airway open. Todd Orr managed to survive not one but two savage maulings while he was out hiking in Montana in October 2016. What followed after it burst from a snow cave has been an experience he couldn't imagine in his worst nightmares. I only had time to say, Oh shit! But I got (my) gun 1/2 way off my back . Man Who Had Face Torn Off by a Bear Had To Dig Debris From His Own Airway. Sources: Anchorage Daily News Bear Attacks Elsewhere In the video Perkins, who became severely disfigured from the attack, said: 'We were out bear hunting. Wes, the SurvivorWes is getting along as best as he can. And probably worst of all, for a man who always loved to talk, he is now hard to understand because he speaks with only half a tongue.. What followed after it burst from a snow cave has been an experience he couldn't imagine in his worst nightmares. The former fire chief was exploring the Alaskan wilderness when the attack happened in 2011. They have also lived in Downers Grove, IL and Joliet, IL. Doctors had to use part of his fibula to create a jaw to replace what the bear ripped off of his face. So I stayed alert all the way (to Nome), and I could squeeze the hands of my two partners when they asked me questions.". Big bear.". Wes could feel his energy fading and the pain was mercifully numbed by his adrenaline. So when I stopped, I thought the bear was ahead of me. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Interviewed by Youtuber Dannie Rose for a . Interviewed by Youtuber Dannie Rose for. Perkins' brother Nate made the radio call. Despite surviving the attack, he was left with permanent damage as he still has issues talking, eating and drinking. Since that discovery, Wes has had his blender going full tilt. He then told him exactly where in the wilderness they were located. 7 of the Worst Recorded Bear Attacks of All Time - FreaknHunting At this point, Dan Stangs son starteed shooting at the grizzly bear, eventually killing it. I would not get 69 feet from a bear in the zoo. Another source of food is for the bears to find animals who have died due to winter conditions. Continue under your own discretion. ", Darcee Perkins, Perkins' daughter, told Newsweek: "Not any person would have survived this or continue to todayI couldn't have. He pretty much single-handedly organized a rescue to lift his brother from the wilderness of the Kigluaik Mountains, about 30 miles east of this small community. Mr Perkins said he had to dig debris from his own airway to stay alive, By the time he realised what was happening, the bear attacked him, The grizzly bear was shot dead by Mr Stang (Stock photo), Raging wild turkey terrorises neighbourhood attacking and injuring residents, Teen, 19, admits plotting Islamist terror attack targeting British police and military, Fisherman missing at sea after 'huge' tuna catch pulls him overboard into the water, Polar bear kills boy and woman in rampage through Alaska village, Widow's anxiety as debt collectors try to repossess her Spanish dream home. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Allena Hansen was mauled by a black bear on her ranch in the Sequoia Mountains, California, in 2008. And probably worst of all, for a man who always loved to talk, he is now hard to understand because he speaks with only half a tongue.". Been on the fire dept. Beim Jagen wurde er von einem Grizzly angegriffen, der ihm die Zhne, den Kiefer und die Zunge herausriss. His left eye, which sees only light and dark, weeps constantly. I do everything else.'. Mr. Perkins only got his rifle 1/2 way off his [slinged] back and baam! Alaskan Man Tells About Grizzly Bear Ripping Half His Face Off At Harborview, Terrie was my nurse. Man who had face torn off by a bear reveals how he managed to survive "If I was unconscious, I would have died. Wes Perkins, a 65-year-old former hearth leader, now not most effective lived to inform the story, however needs to assist any person else who has long gone via one thing an identical. And that is the amazing part of this story. He said he started driving away and when he looked back the bear was on top of Wesley. Orr eventually was able to walk back to his truck and drive 17 miles to get help. Four months after the attack, Wes is able to get around on his own, but is far from being back to life as he knew it. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. 'I turned and saw the bear, full charge,' Perkins told Anchorage Daily News in a previous interview. I found out on my own about the sports bottle so with the trach (trachea) tube out I could suck like a straw. Slowly, that is changing as his health continues to improve and he learns to accept that his appearance is likely to attract attention. He'd probably be better off spending the rest of his life somewhere warmer than this isolated, far-north community. Life is good, but it will never be the same after the unfortunate bear attack that nearly cost him his life. Then, strangely, the bear just stopped her attack and wandered off. Do you have a question about surviving bear attacks? I could not move my face sideways or my airway would close. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Blutige Bren-Attacke: Jger von Grizzlybr zerfleischt! Br reit Mann They wanted help if I was willing to help give them some direction as to what may happen. "I used to talk a lot, and when they told me I would never talk or eat by mouth again, I really had to beat those odds as I could not imagine my active life without being able to do either. Wes Perkins, a lifelong Nome resident, had been tracking the bear with friends on snow machines Sunday east of the Seward Peninsula city when the big grizzly charged, according to Alaska State . Perkins, who spent his life in Alaska, has a fair bit of experience around grizzlies, but added, I never had one hide like this one! What followed after it burst from a snow cave has been an experience he couldnt imagine in his worst nightmares. The attack happened in 2011 but 65-year-old Wes Perkins still bears the scars of a terrifying encounter with a grizzly beast in the Alaskan mountains. 'I only had time to say, 'Oh s***!' Protecting her two babies the bear launched an attack with Orr defending himself with bear spray but that didnt stop her. But they are certainly not related." So when I stopped, I thought the bear was ahead of me. He was flown 250 miles to regional capital Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk but died nine days later from a heart attack. Perkins was on methadone for a long time after the bear attack to try to hold back the pain morphine couldn't stop.
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