North Carolina Chief Recovering from Bear Attack

A western North Carolina police chief is recovering after authorities said a bear attacked her more than a week ago at an arboretum outside of Asheville.

University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans said a bear attacked North Carolina Arboretum Police Chief Emily Brahy during Helene clean up, WRAL reports.

“She came very close to losing her life,” Hans said. “She’s a good mountain girl [and] knew how to deal with the situation.” Chief Brahy reportedly suffered minor injuries.

The UNC System owns the North Carolina Arboretum, which is located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest just south of Asheville and near the Blue Ridge Parkway.