In a harrowing encounter not too far from Snoqualmie, a group of Seattle-area cyclists demonstrated extraordinary bravery as they fought a cougar to rescue fellow cyclist and friend Keri Bergere. The Feb. 17 incident left Bergere with severe neck and face injuries, necessitating a five-day hospital stay for recovery, as reported by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Bergere’s friend who jumped to action told KING of Seattle, “that cougar was not going to take these cougars down.” Her friends quickly sprang into action, armed with sticks and a rock, engaging in a desperate struggle to free her from the cougar’s lethal grip.
The group was 19 miles into their ride when two cougars emerged suddenly, with one forcefully dragging Bergere off her bike and pinning her to the ground.
Cougars are known for their powerful jaws, capable of exerting about 400 pounds per square inch of pressure, a force strong enough to crush bones and windpipes. The cyclists’ ordeal with the cougar, which lasted about 15 minutes, was a testament to their courage and determination. Eventually, they managed to lessen the cougar’s grip on Bergere, using a bicycle to pin the animal down until help arrived.
Fish and Wildlife officers later euthanized the cougar for examination, revealing no diseases or abnormalities that might explain its aggressive behavior. The second cougar involved in the incident was not located.