Cougar attacks cyclists in Washington, killing 1

Two friends riding their bikes in a mountainous, wooded area of Washington state on Saturday morning were attacked by a cougar, which killed one of them in the state’s first such fatality in more than 90 years, officials said.

Authorities said the two cyclists saw the cougar, a 100-pound male, in pursuit and one of them screamed. They stopped, got off their bikes and made noise to ward it off as people in such situations are advised to do, authorities said.

At first, it appeared to work. One of the bikers also struck the animal’s face, causing it to run toward the bushes.

But as they were about to pedal away, the cougar returned, Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the King County Sheriff’s Office said. It jumped on the first cyclist, putting its mouth around his head and shaking him. It released him and chased after the other cyclist, who had started to run.

As the first cyclist, who had been bloodied but survived, rode away from the scene, he could see the cougar dragging the second cyclist into the woods, Sgt. Abbott said. The first victim later told authorities that he had to travel about 2 miles before getting a cell phone signal and calling 911.

By the time help arrived, it was too late. Officers found the body of the second cyclist, 32, underneath a log and debris in what appeared to be the cougar’s den. The animal was atop the body, said Capt. Alan Myers of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police.

The attack happened around Lake Hancock, near Snoqualmie, Washington, about 30 miles east of Seattle.