By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Two women died after falling into a deep gorge while trying to escape a bear attack in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, officials said.
The incident occurred on Friday morning near Sidelii village in Pokhari tehsil when the two women, who were sisters in law in relations, had gone into the Boga forest to collect fodder for their cattle.
According to officials, a bear suddenly attacked the women, identified as Vimla Devi, 55, and her sister-in-law Lakshmi Devi, 42. In an attempt to escape the animal, both women fell several hundred feet down a steep rocky slope.
Villagers rushed the injured women to the Community Health Centre in Pokhari, where Vimla Devi was found to be in critical condition. Despite treatment, she succumbed to her injuries.
Lakshmi Devi, who had also sustained serious injuries was given initial treatment at the health centre and referred to the Base Hospital in Srinagar Garhwal.
Pokhari Tehsildar Ramkishor Dhyani said that a helicopter had been arranged on the directions of the Chamoli District Magistrate to airlift the critically injured woman. However, the helicopter could not take off because of adverse weather conditions.
Lakshmi Devi was subsequently taken to the Base Hospital by ambulance, but she too succumbed to her injuries during treatment.
Vimla Devi’s husband Chandrashekhar told reporters in Pokhari that his wife and Lakshmi Devi had gone to the Boga forest to cut grass when the bear suddenly attacked them.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by villagers in Uttarakhand where people frequently enter forests to collect fodder and firewood and face encounters with wild animals.