A vacation in America's Yellowstone National Park turned into a living nightmare for a couple when a massive grizzly bear launched a fatal attack. The U.S. National Park Service has published a detailed report of the terrifying 2011 incident, revealing heart-stopping details of how a wife survived by playing dead while her husband was mauled.
The Unexpected Encounter on the Trail
57-year-old Brian Matayoshi and his wife Marilyn had visited the park four times previously without incident. On July 6, 2011, they encountered a female grizzly bear and her cubs while hiking. Though they initially took photos and moved on, they crossed paths with the bear again while heading back.
Panic set in when the bear spotted them and charged. According to wildlife experts, the couple's instinct to run and scream triggered the bear's predatory chase instinct, making the situation fatally worse.
Playing Dead to Survive
The bear quickly overtook them. While Marilyn managed to hide behind downed trees, the bear attacked Brian. Hearing her husband's screams, Marilyn hid under cover until the bear suddenly turned its attention to her, tossing her into the air by her backpack.
Displaying incredible composure, Marilyn curled up on the ground and played dead, remaining completely motionless. Her life-saving gamble worked; after a few tense moments, the bear and its cubs wandered off. Tragically, Brian succumbed to his fatal injuries before help could arrive.
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