A West Jordan girl who was pulled from a camper and mauled by a black bear underwent surgery Wednesday morning at Primary Children's Medical Center.
A hospital spokeswoman said Kristal Gadd, 9, suffered severe lacerations to her scalp, arm and leg and was expected to be in surgery for several hours. Gadd was not expected to be placed in intensive care following the surgery, the spokeswoman said.A spokesman at the Springville office of the Division of Wildlife Resources said early reports indicate the girl was camping with her grandparents and younger brother Tuesday night on the east side of Strawberry Reservoir at the Soldier Creek Campground, 33 miles east of Heber City off U.S. Highway 40.
Shortly before midnight, the bear burst through the screen door of the family's camper, grabbed Gadd from her bed and began to drag her away. The girl's grandfather, George Gadd, West Jordan, picked up a large flashlight and went after the bear. The grandfather struck the bear on the head several times with the flashlight and the bear dropped the girl and fled.
The grandfather drove the girl to Heber City where he was pulled over shortly after midnight by a Heber City Police officer for speeding. The officer led the grandfather to Wasatch County Hospital. The girl was later flown by helicopter to Primary Children's.
Division of Wildlife Resources officials and a government trapper took 20 dogs into the area Wednesday morning to locate the bear. Once the bear is located, it will be destroyed, officials said.
Forest Service officials closed the isolated campground while wildlife officials search for the bear.