Bellvue, Washington city councilman John Chelminiak is recovering from a nearly fatal bear attack near his vacation home in Lake Wenatchee. ‘Early Show‘ anchor Harry Smith sits down with wife Lynn Selmer to chronicle the chilling encounter that occurred as John was walking his dogs. “After hearing her husband shouting for help while being mauled, Chelminiak’s wife made this call to 911,” Smith narrates as Today rolls the audio. John’s voice can be heard in the background, yelling “I’m dying!” as Lynn talks to the operator.
“He continues to be in stable condition… It’s amazing!” Lynn tells Harry via live video feed. The bear apparently ran off when Lynn opened the door, “It was just so important for me to stay down there with John, monitor the bear, and you know I was scared, um, screaming.” Harry notes, “That may have been enough to keep the bear away.”
