alyeska338
04-14-2006, 06:27 PM
From The Chattanoogan http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_83767.asp
2-Year-Old Doing Better After Bear Attack, Sister Killed, Mother Critical
posted April 14, 2006
Erlanger Medical Center officials said a 2-year-old boy, Luke Cenkus, who was mauled by a black bear on Thursday is doing better. However, he is being kept in the intensive care unit at Children's Hospital at this time.
His 6-year-old sister, Elora Petrasek, was killed by the bear. Their mother, Susan Cenkus, 45, of Clyde, Ohio, remains in critical condition at Erlanger.
Pediatric intensivist Dr. Greg Talbott said the boy's condition could be classified as stable.
In a press conference held Friday at the Erlanger Baroness Campus, Dr. Talbott reported that the child was taken to surgery Thursday night for repair of a significant puncture wound to the head which depressed the skull onto the brain, slightly bruising the brain. The two-hour surgery was performed by Dr. Lisa Smith of University Surgical Associates and Dr. Peter Boehm of the Neurosurgical Group of Chattanooga.
Dr. Talbott reported they are pleased with the outcome and comfortable with the child’s progress thus far. The child is being treated with antibiotics and pain medication and is being monitored for any neurological problems.
Dr. Talbott stated, “We anticipate he will make a complete recovery. He’s a little irritable as any two-year old would be under the circumstances, but he is doing as well, or better, than expected.”
Dr. Vicente Mejia, a local surgeon with University Surgical Associates, said, that, although the mother remains in critical condition, “She is also doing well - awake, alert and her vital signs are stable.” He added that she suffered from eight puncture wounds to the neck area, two of which were significant enough to require surgery. She sustained numerous soft tissue injuries to her upper and lower extremities and faces several additional surgeries.
Due to the location of some of the wounds, a spine specialist is also following her care.
Both doctors reported that an infectious disease specialist has been brought in and both mother and child have started a round of vaccinations for rabies.
The patients were flown from the scene by Erlanger’s air ambulance service, LifeForce, and Drs. Mejia and Talbott were complimentary of the excellent pre-hospital care the mother and son received.
Officials said the family "continues to ask for privacy and decline interviews. They wish to thank all the individuals and agencies who assisted with the rescue effort on Thursday and the hospital staff who are caring for their loved ones. They are extremely grateful for the thoughts and prayers that have been extended on their behalf during this very difficult time. They ask for continued prayers as they cope with this tragedy."
According to Cherokee National Forest Supervisor Tom Speaks, “The attack took place on the Ocoee-Hiwassee Ranger District near the Chilhowee Recreation Area about 22 miles east of Cleveland.”
Supervisor Speaks stated, “Our hearts go out to the family members who have suffered this devastating loss. We are working closely with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency to destroy the animal.”
The attack occurred on Thursday between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. at the Benton Falls near the Chilhowee Recreation Area. The mother and her two children were attacked by a large black bear. When rescue workers arrived on the scene, they rendered aid to the woman and her son. The young girl was found fatally injured about 60 yards downstream from Benton Falls.
The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed the Chilhowee Recreation Area and the Parksville Campground and several roads and trails in the vicinity of the attack.
According to Supervisor Speaks, “We are asking the public to please stay clear of this area while our personnel and the TWRA personnel attempt to find this bear.”
There have been no recent reports of nuisance bears in the Chilhowee Recreation Area. In recent years, the Forest Service has installed and maintained bear proof trash cans and signs warning visitors of the presence of black bears. “We don’t want visitors to be afraid to come to the forest,” Supervisor Speaks said, “However, we do want them to be mindful of the dangers that wild animals can pose.”
This is only the second confirmed fatal attack by black bears on humans in Tennessee.
The Forest Service made this statement on behalf of the family involved in the bear attack in the Cherokee National Forest:
The U.S. Forest Service has been asked today to make a statement on behalf of the family involved in the bear attack which took place on the Cherokee National Forest on Thursday, April 13th. First, the family has asked to pass along to all of you their sincere gratitude for the concern, prayers and well wishes for them during this time of tragedy.
This event, which forever altered their lives, has been understandably very difficult for the entire family to cope with. So, during this time of sorrow and healing, the family asks that their privacy be respected. No interviews will be granted for the time-being as the family focuses on the tragic loss of their beloved little girl and as they work through the recovery process for the mother and son.
The names of the family members involved in this tragedy are: Susan Cenkus, age 45, from Clyde, Ohio who remains in critical condition at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Luke Cenkus, age 2, from Clyde, Ohio, remains in stable condition at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga. Elora Petrasek, age 6, also from Clyde, Ohio, was lost to the family yesterday afternoon as a result of this horrible event.
Again, the family asks that they be allowed to focus on the recovery process of their loved ones and all questions be directed to the U.S. Forest Service (423) 338-3323, Erlanger Hospital at (423) 778-7427 or the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (931) 261-8451.
The bear reportedly picked up the boy in its mouth, then the mother tried to come to his aid. The daughter reportedly ran off during the melee, and then was found later.
2-Year-Old Doing Better After Bear Attack, Sister Killed, Mother Critical
posted April 14, 2006
Erlanger Medical Center officials said a 2-year-old boy, Luke Cenkus, who was mauled by a black bear on Thursday is doing better. However, he is being kept in the intensive care unit at Children's Hospital at this time.
His 6-year-old sister, Elora Petrasek, was killed by the bear. Their mother, Susan Cenkus, 45, of Clyde, Ohio, remains in critical condition at Erlanger.
Pediatric intensivist Dr. Greg Talbott said the boy's condition could be classified as stable.
In a press conference held Friday at the Erlanger Baroness Campus, Dr. Talbott reported that the child was taken to surgery Thursday night for repair of a significant puncture wound to the head which depressed the skull onto the brain, slightly bruising the brain. The two-hour surgery was performed by Dr. Lisa Smith of University Surgical Associates and Dr. Peter Boehm of the Neurosurgical Group of Chattanooga.
Dr. Talbott reported they are pleased with the outcome and comfortable with the child’s progress thus far. The child is being treated with antibiotics and pain medication and is being monitored for any neurological problems.
Dr. Talbott stated, “We anticipate he will make a complete recovery. He’s a little irritable as any two-year old would be under the circumstances, but he is doing as well, or better, than expected.”
Dr. Vicente Mejia, a local surgeon with University Surgical Associates, said, that, although the mother remains in critical condition, “She is also doing well - awake, alert and her vital signs are stable.” He added that she suffered from eight puncture wounds to the neck area, two of which were significant enough to require surgery. She sustained numerous soft tissue injuries to her upper and lower extremities and faces several additional surgeries.
Due to the location of some of the wounds, a spine specialist is also following her care.
Both doctors reported that an infectious disease specialist has been brought in and both mother and child have started a round of vaccinations for rabies.
The patients were flown from the scene by Erlanger’s air ambulance service, LifeForce, and Drs. Mejia and Talbott were complimentary of the excellent pre-hospital care the mother and son received.
Officials said the family "continues to ask for privacy and decline interviews. They wish to thank all the individuals and agencies who assisted with the rescue effort on Thursday and the hospital staff who are caring for their loved ones. They are extremely grateful for the thoughts and prayers that have been extended on their behalf during this very difficult time. They ask for continued prayers as they cope with this tragedy."
According to Cherokee National Forest Supervisor Tom Speaks, “The attack took place on the Ocoee-Hiwassee Ranger District near the Chilhowee Recreation Area about 22 miles east of Cleveland.”
Supervisor Speaks stated, “Our hearts go out to the family members who have suffered this devastating loss. We are working closely with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency to destroy the animal.”
The attack occurred on Thursday between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. at the Benton Falls near the Chilhowee Recreation Area. The mother and her two children were attacked by a large black bear. When rescue workers arrived on the scene, they rendered aid to the woman and her son. The young girl was found fatally injured about 60 yards downstream from Benton Falls.
The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed the Chilhowee Recreation Area and the Parksville Campground and several roads and trails in the vicinity of the attack.
According to Supervisor Speaks, “We are asking the public to please stay clear of this area while our personnel and the TWRA personnel attempt to find this bear.”
There have been no recent reports of nuisance bears in the Chilhowee Recreation Area. In recent years, the Forest Service has installed and maintained bear proof trash cans and signs warning visitors of the presence of black bears. “We don’t want visitors to be afraid to come to the forest,” Supervisor Speaks said, “However, we do want them to be mindful of the dangers that wild animals can pose.”
This is only the second confirmed fatal attack by black bears on humans in Tennessee.
The Forest Service made this statement on behalf of the family involved in the bear attack in the Cherokee National Forest:
The U.S. Forest Service has been asked today to make a statement on behalf of the family involved in the bear attack which took place on the Cherokee National Forest on Thursday, April 13th. First, the family has asked to pass along to all of you their sincere gratitude for the concern, prayers and well wishes for them during this time of tragedy.
This event, which forever altered their lives, has been understandably very difficult for the entire family to cope with. So, during this time of sorrow and healing, the family asks that their privacy be respected. No interviews will be granted for the time-being as the family focuses on the tragic loss of their beloved little girl and as they work through the recovery process for the mother and son.
The names of the family members involved in this tragedy are: Susan Cenkus, age 45, from Clyde, Ohio who remains in critical condition at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Luke Cenkus, age 2, from Clyde, Ohio, remains in stable condition at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga. Elora Petrasek, age 6, also from Clyde, Ohio, was lost to the family yesterday afternoon as a result of this horrible event.
Again, the family asks that they be allowed to focus on the recovery process of their loved ones and all questions be directed to the U.S. Forest Service (423) 338-3323, Erlanger Hospital at (423) 778-7427 or the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (931) 261-8451.
The bear reportedly picked up the boy in its mouth, then the mother tried to come to his aid. The daughter reportedly ran off during the melee, and then was found later.