Wendy L. Gibbons rescued Miles M. Meagher from an attacking bear, Oxford House, Manitoba, June 16, 1986. Meagher, 28, was prospecting in a remote area when a 150-pound black bear charged him, chasing him into a lake. He shouted for help to his co-worker, Mrs. Gibbons, 28, geologist, who was nearby. Mrs. Gibbons approached to within 20 feet of the bear, which had shredded Meagher’s clothes. By making noise, she distracted the bear, which then chased her into the lake. The bear went back to Meagher, and again Mrs. Gibbons distracted it, causing it to charge her. She continued to distract the bear from Meagher, allowing him to flee to the other side of the lake. Mrs. Gibbons then swam across the lake to Meagher, and they climbed a tree to await their co-workers, who took them to safety. Meagher sustained puncture wounds and a bite to one of his hands for which he required hospital treatment. He recovered.
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