A Rockland County teen was mauled after he encountered a grizzly bear and her cub during a survival course in Alaska, authorities said yesterday.
Joshua Berg, 17, of New City, was taking part in a 30-day course held by the National Outdoor Leadership School when the group came across the animals Saturday evening.
The bear attacked Berg first, then another student, but stopped and resumed biting Berg.
Both Berg and Samuel Gottsegen, 17, of Denver, were horrifically wounded and were listed in critical condition early today.
The students — all between 16 and 18 years old — had been backpacking since June 30, and no longer had instructors directly supervising them.
Two others suffered less serious injuries.
A Long Island resident, Sam Melman, of Huntington, was part of the group, but was not hurt.
The 14 students were rescued after they contacted State Troopers using a locating beacon, according to a school spokesman.
Rescuers found them about seven hours later, but weren’t able to take the most seriously wounded because they needed a medically equipped helicopter, which took four more hours to arrive.
The mauling occurred in the Talkeetna Mountains, 120 miles north of Anchorage.