Mauled cop was riding mountain bike at full speed when he hit grizzly

An investigation into the June mauling death of a Forest Service cop in Montana has determined that the officer was riding a mountain bike at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a grizzly bear.

Brad Treat, 38, was descending the "Outer Trail" of the Green Gate Trails in the Flathead National Forest between 1:30 and 2 p.m. June 29 when he rounded a blind curve and collided with the grizzly, according to a Board of Review Report.

The board released its findings into the incident this week and made safety recommendations, the Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune reported.

Treat was traveling at an estimated 20-25 mph when the accident occurred. There were no tire skids or evasive steering that would indicate that he immediately saw the bear. He hit the animal at full-speed and flew over the handlebars, fracturing his wrists and his left shoulder blade when he tried to break his fall.

When Treat's companion, who was not identified, came upon the scene, the "very big, brownish-black" bear with "bristled up" fur was standing over Trent. The fellow rider reported that he had heard the bear cry out, making a sound "like it was hurt."

The companion froze, not knowing what to do. Neither man was carrying bear spray, a firearm or a cellphone.

By this time the bear was "intent and focused" on attacking Treat and either ignored or did not notice the other man.

Thirty-eight-year-old mountain biker Brad Treat was killed by a grizzly bear while riding on a trail near Glacier National Park in Montana. The Forest Service officer and another person were riding their bikes on the trail in the Halfmoon Lakes area of the Flathead National Forest when they surprised the bear. less Thirty-eight-year-old mountain biker Brad Treat was killed by a grizzly bear while riding on a trail near Glacier National Park in Montana. The Forest Service officer and another person were riding their bikes ... more Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Mauled cop was riding mountain bike at full speed when he hit grizzly 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

According to the board report, the companion left to seek help because he did not feel comfortable trying to get the bear off Trent.

The companion carried his bike through the forest to reach a highway about a mile away and then flagged down a vehicle.

Treat was dead by the time responders arrived. His helmet was reportedly bitten to pieces, but no part of his body was eaten by the bear, indicating that the encounter probably was not a predatory attack.

DNA testing of the bear's hair showed that the grizzly was a 18- to 20-year-old male who weighed about 370 pounds when he was captured during a research project at Glacier National Park in 2006. He had no history of aggression toward humans.

Treat's death was the first bear-related mountain bike death in Montana.

Mountain bikers are much more likely than hikers to encounter bears on trails because they move much faster. Because they can't hear the cyclists coming,

The Board of Review made the following recommendations for mountain biking in bear country:

Stay vigilant

Slow down

Carry bear spray

Make noise

Don't ride alone

Never ride at dusk, dawn or night

Don't think "it won't happen to me"

Remember bears live there and you are just a visitor.

Source: USA Today