Grizzly bear attack near Fernie sends man to Calgary hospital

© Chris Darimont/University of Victoria

A grizzly bear roams near the Koeye River on B.C. 's Central Coast in this file photo.

A man has been transported by air ambulance to hospital in Calgary after he was attacked by a grizzly bear near Fernie, B.C.

Officials with Alberta-based STARS air ambulance say they responded at around 9:23 a.m. MT Sunday to transport the man from an area about eight kilometres south of Fernie.

The 56-year-old had been mauled by the bear. A STARS ambulance attendant said he was also shot by another hunter who tried to stop the animal from attacking the victim.

B.C.'s Environment Ministry says the hunting partner managed to kill the bear and was not injured in the incident.

The victim was brought out of the woods by ATV and then transported by STARS to Foothills Hospital in Calgary.

Emergency responders said he was in critical condition. However, the Environment Ministry reported his condition as stable and his injuries as non-life threatening.

Provincial conservation officers from Fernie and Cranbrook are examining the scene.