National park rangers and Alaska State Troopers were notified of the incident at about 2:30 p.m. by a pilot with Andrew Airways who had flown to the site to pick up the campers. Troopers and rangers flew to the remote site later that afternoon.

While at the site, two brown bears were shot and killed in self defense. The first bear was identified by the Andrew Airways pilot as one which had been feeding on human remains. The bear was shot at close range after it charged park rangers at the campsite. A second bear was shot after it approached rangers and troopers who were loading the plane.

The identities of the campers are not being released pending notification of next of kin in the Lower 48.

The campsite was in a fairly brushy area with poor visibility, according to rangers. Tents and camp gear were found partially damaged. A late run of salmon come through the lakes and attract bears, rangers said. Although the Kaflia Bay lakes are not frequently used by visitors, other areas along the Katmai coast are popular for guided bear watching trips. This is the first bear related fatality in the park for at least 15 years.

The joint investigation of the incident by the Alaska State Troopers and the National Park Service will continue today. Rangers hope to revisit the site today. The Kaflia Bay and adjacent areas from the high tide line upslope to beyond the camping area will be posted as closed to use by visitors.

9:45 a.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2003