MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- A bear on ice skates attacked two people during rehearsals at a circus in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, killing one of them, Kyrgyz officials said Friday. In the incident, which happened Thursday, the 5-year-old animal killed the circus administrator, Dmitry Potapov, and mauled an animal trainer, who was attempting to rescue him. "The incident occurred during a rehearsal by the Russian state circus company troupe which was performing in Bishkek with the program, Bears on Ice," Ministry of Culture and Information director Kurmangazy Isanayev told reporters. It is unclear what caused the bear to attack Potapov, 25, nearly severing one of his legs while dragging him across the ice by his neck. Medical personnel were unable to save Potapov, who died at the scene. The 29-year-old circus trainer Yevgeny Popov, who attempted to rescue Potapov, was also severely injured, according to doctors.
"The victim has sustained serious injuries - deep scalp lacerations, bruising of the brain, lacerations on his body. His condition is considered critical," Dr. Gulnara Tashibekova told reporters on Russian state television. After the incident, the circus was cordoned off by police and emergency service workers. Experts have been brought in to examine the bear, which was shot and died at the scene. Russia has a long-standing tradition of training bears to perform tricks such as riding motorcycles, ice skating, and playing hockey. Fatal attacks are unusual.
Lira
I think the capital of Kyrgyzstan is not exactly in Russia, Shaw ;)
Edit: Despite your edit, Kyrgyzstan is not exactly in Soviet Russia, Shaw, though it was a Soviet republic :p
shaw
it was your brother, wasn't it?
Lira
Yes :(
He phoned me yesterday saying he needed a hand at the circus.
LoveHate
lol at real bears playing hockey.
astroboy
The second victim barely escaped with his life
we_R_DNA
I'm drunk and this video is amazing
DimaShibby
thats what you get for ing with teh bears
Lebezniatnikov
Lira beat me to it. :(
Tom Smykowski
quote:
Originally posted by shaw
nearly severing one of his legs while dragging him across the ice by his neck.
am i a bad person for laughing out when i read this part?
yukii
idk what i find more amazing, the story itself, or bears playing ice hockey.... :eyespop:
winston
quote:
Originally posted by DimaShibby
thats what you get for ing with teh bears
