Everyone knows a good mother will do anything to protect her child. But a recent run-in with a cougar put that statement to a terrifying test for one mother.
Everyone knows a good mother will do anything to protect her child. But a recent incident in Washington’s Colville National Park put that statement to a terrifying test for one mother, Dawn Impey, and her five-year-old son Simon.
On September 2nd, the Impey family had gone for a hike in the woods, and were enjoying the beautiful scenery. Simon’s father, Mark, and his brother were walking a bit ahead of the boy and his mother, but they doubled back when they heard a bloodcurdling scream: a cougar had leapt onto the path, and had grabbed Simon by the head.
Fortunately, Dawn leapt into action, beating the cougar with her metal water bottle in an effort to get him to let her son go. The animal bit her hands several times, but finally, he retreated into the bushes, and the family made a quick escape down the mountain.
“We were quite frightened,” Mark Impey told The Star. “We picked up sticks, I put Simon on my shoulders and we carried him down (to the car).”
Once arriving in the parking lot, they realized with a chill that the cougar had stalked them the whole way there.
However, the family was able to quickly obtain help, and arrived at a hospital minutes after leaving. Simon was rushed in for treatment, and his relieved parents were notified that his injuries weren’t life-threatening.
Now, Simon is feeling well again, though a bit self-conscious about his new shaved head. As for Dawn, we’re betting she’ll get an extra-special Mother’s Day present next year.