Camper killed by black bear near Mackenzie, British Columbia

© Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS
A black bear forages for food in Jasper National Park, Alta. on May 7, 2014.

    

A young northern B.C. man was killed by a black bear at a remote campsite this weekend while his fiancée slept inside their motorhome, say authorities who are now warning people to exercise extreme caution in the province's backcountry.

Daniel Ward Folland O'Connor and his wife-to-be were in a small campground near MacKenzie Saturday night when the fatal mauling apparently occurred.

The BC Coroners Service said O'Connor fell asleep near a fire pit, while his fiancé went to bed in their motorhome.

"After getting up in the morning, [she] realized something was wrong and went for help," said spokesperson Barb McLintock.

The incident was reported to RCMP at 10 a.m. Sunday, and conservation officers located the bear believed to be responsible a short time later.

The 300-pound male black bear, as well as a wolf, were shot dead after the 27-year-old's body was found on a remote logging road.

"The injuries Mr. O'Connor suffered were consistent with a black bear attack," said McLintock, adding that campers need to be well aware of the risks that wildlife can pose in remote campgrounds.