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Monday, July 20, 2015
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Alberni forester survives grizzly attack; in recovery George Knoll played dead, then fought to save his life
PA fire dept. awaits wildfire duties
KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A local forester is lucky to be alive after surviving a grizzly bear attack on Thursday. George Knoll has been recovering from surgery that took place on Sunday but will have a story to tell his family and friends when he is discharged from Vancouver General Hospital. Knoll was on a rare camp shift in Bella Bella when the attack occurred. He usually remains in Port Alberni for work, but with the shutdowns, took an opportunity farther north. His wife, Andrea, said it was the first time he had seen a grizzly bear, although black bears are a common sight and are generally harmless. “They spotted each other at the same time and there wasn’t a lot of time before she came running at him,” Andrea said. “She attacked right away and went for his head, throat and neck.” Knoll tried to keep his face and neck covered, but the grizzly continued to grab him by the back and tear into his skin. “He was totally scared,” Andrea said. “He thought he was going to die.” Unsure of what to do next, Knoll laid on the ground and played dead. That didn’t work and the bear kept biting him, so his first instinct was to fight back. He used his work boot to kick the bear in the face, which stopped her initially, but she returned to attack again. This time, Knoll kicked her in the nose and she finally took off. Knoll was able to make his way to his vest and radio to call his partners for help. Meanwhile he made his own tourniquet and pulled it tight with his teeth. When his crew arrived, they found Knoll laying on his back and he was air lifted first to a hospital in Bella Bella and then
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George Knoll is recovering in Vancouver General Hospital after a frightening grizzly bear attack last Thursday near Bella Bella. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
to Vancouver General, where he remains. Andrea has been by his side since he arrived in Vancouver. On Sunday, doctors said infection of his wounds was imminent, so they maintained them and checked for nerve damage. Andrea said he will probably undergo more surgery to fix any damage. She expects him to be in the hospital for at least another week and recovery will be lengthy, with at least one
year of physiotherapy. Between the two, they have four children, and the family intend to be together as much as possible after Knoll’s frightening incident. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@avtimes.net. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
“[The grizzly] attacked right away and went for his head, throat and neck. He thought he was going to die.” Andrea Knoll, spouse
The province’s resources to control wildfires are wearing thin, prompting local governments to look to their fire departments to provide additional support. Last week city council approved a recommendation from the Port Alberni Fire Department to make the municipal firefighters available for forest incidents if the provincial personnel need help. Last year the local fire department was put on standby as incidents in other parts of the province drew wildfire fighters away from the Valley. The department’s availability brought the city revenue through a contract with the province. With forest fires continuing to emerge on Vancouver Island and throughout B.C., Port Alberni’s fire chief Tim Pley is anticipating a call for help from the province this summer. “Wildfire activity in the province has already reached near-record levels. B.C. Wildfire service resources are being deployed away from Vancouver Island to fight active fires,” he wrote in a recent report for council. “With depleting staff resources on Vancouver Island, B.C. wildfire service may turn to local government fire departments for firefighting support.” The role of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District’s fire departments has already been expanded to wildfire suppression if situations arise – especially for the Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department, who monitored the area as the Dog Mountain situation continued to burn this month. On Friday the Wildfire Management Branch reported that Dog Mountain is being patrolled around the clock. See FIRES, Page 3
Weekend fire damages Russell Place home
Multiplex to allow alcohol drinks in arena seats
No one was injured but a home suffered major damages from a fire that quickly ignited on Saturday afternoon. » Alberni Region, 3
Bulldogs fans can enjoy a beer in the stands this season with a city application to change the Multiplex’s liquor license. » Alberni Region, 3
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