Ice skating bear kills Russian circus hand

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I guess the message the bear sent is, "If you are insane enough to dress up a bear in a costume and teach it to ice skate, it might eat you."

Quote:

CNN

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.

I'm sorry for the family, but seriously. Ice skating bears.

dd74 · 10-23-2009, 08:47 AM

I'm sorry for the bear. The trainers had it coming.

TheMentat · TheMentat's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

i'm sorry for the bear. The trainers had it coming.

+1!

Gogar · 10-23-2009, 08:51 AM

onewhippedpuppy · 10-23-2009, 08:52 AM

Not a headline you read every day, now is it?

masraum · 10-23-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

I'm sorry for the bear. The trainers had it coming.

Yep!

I don't watch rodeos, but I do root for the bull.

widgeon13 · 10-23-2009, 09:58 AM

Could we arrange a guest appearance at Gitmo?

McLovin · 10-23-2009, 11:11 AM

Some days you bite the bear, others the bear bites you.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

and... a NEW HOCKEY PLAYER is born!

m21sniper · 10-23-2009, 01:20 PM

Perhaps the most bizarre story i have ever seen.

Joeaksa · 10-23-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Perhaps the most bizarre story i have ever seen.

Oh, it can get a LOT worse...

9dreizig · 10-23-2009, 05:52 PM

this is a blue ribbon day on OT, this and the telemarketer thread are making my day

widgeon13 · 10-23-2009, 05:56 PM

I thought the roaches in the coochie was pretty strange!

m21sniper · 10-23-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Oh, it can get a LOT worse...

"What happened to bob?"

"Eaten by a bear on skates. One wearing a dress."

I don't think it really can.

bell · bell's Garage

In mother russia the ice skating bear ownz jooooooooo

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

To bad for the bear.

I positively hate Corrida's in Spain, them fruity fairies in pink tights prancing around with a Bull that has been cornered, and pre-softened by the asisstant on horse with spikes.. The bulls should get more chances to stick a horn in em...

Either you kill an animal to eat it, and you do it fast.
Or you don't do anything at all