ALBERTA, CANADA — The family of a man and a woman that were mauled to death by a grizzly bear said they received an SOS message from the couple.
Doug Inclis and Jenny Gusse were experienced hikers, but when they crossed paths with a bear, their efforts to defend themselves weren't enough.
The attack happened September 30 at Canada's Banff National Park.
Doug and Jenny were familiar with the park's backcountry.
Doug's uncle, Colin Inglis, told the Global News the two hiked the area "many times."
When the couple headed out for a trek, they'd share their itinerary with family, according to Colin's interviewthe Canadian Press.
Colin said at 4:52 p.m. on September 30 he received a message, stating the couple told him, "we're delayed, but everything is ok."
At 8:15 p.m. Colin received a message from the couple's Garmin device, stating an S.O.S message was sent from the couple's location.
The message read, "bear attack bad, Doug told Global News.
It was reported that Doug and Jenny emptied a can of bear spray to defend themselves during the attack, according to park officials.
The couple died from severe injuries.
Park officials called the encounter "rare."
There have been been four bear attacks atBanff National Park in the past ten years, according to park officials.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmp5mknryvedaoqaWcX5i8trzLnmSepaCptqawjJyYp2Wfm3qjscCrZKyoopbGbsPHoqOeZZaetKnAyKeeZqeWm3qovsizsaWxXZeyor6Mm5innpZiu6LAyKilmqRdpa6zt4ydpq6fXZ%2Byr7rYZpqopJmjeqq6xqWgrGWTlruisMiapWaqn5i4qrHSZpqappGZrm6%2Fzqxkpp2jqK6osQ%3D%3D