MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- A bear on ice skates attacked two people during rehearsals at a circus in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, killing one of them, Kyrgyz officials said Friday.

 

In the incident, which happened Thursday, the 5-year-old animal killed the circus administrator, Dmitry Potapov, and mauled an animal trainer, who was attempting to rescue him.

 

"The incident occurred during a rehearsal by the Russian state circus company troupe which was performing in Bishkek with the program, Bears on Ice," Ministry of Culture and Information director Kurmangazy Isanayev told reporters.

 

It is unclear what caused the bear to attack Potapov, 25, nearly severing one of his legs while dragging him across the ice by his neck. Medical personnel were unable to save Potapov, who died at the scene.

 

The 29-year-old circus trainer Yevgeny Popov, who attempted to rescue Potapov, was also severely injured, according to doctors.

 

"The victim has sustained serious injuries - deep scalp lacerations, bruising of the brain, lacerations on his body. His condition is considered critical," Dr. Gulnara Tashibekova told reporters on Russian state television.

 

After the incident, the circus was cordoned off by police and emergency service workers. Experts have been brought in to examine the bear, which was shot and died at the scene.

 

Russia has a long-standing tradition of training bears to perform tricks such as riding motorcycles, ice skating, and playing hockey. Fatal attacks are unusual

 

cnn

 

Yeah I can't imagine why a bear trained to ice skate would attack someone...

I feel sorry for the bear.

This is what you get when you try and make a wild animal ice skate.

 

 

I know Bears are cute and fluffy, but they will f*** you up.

This would soooo make a good cartoon.

Da Bears.

Godless Killing Machines.

If they had a trident, the trainer would have been saved.

 

 

 

I thought all Russians were bears on tricyles.

In Red Alert 3 you could build large sums of attack bears and destroy your foes. This reminds me of that.

In America, you vould keell to see a bear on skates. . . In Russia, bear on skates vould KEELL YOU!

 

 

 

Why did they think Tonya Harding would be a good ice skating coach for the bear?

In America, you vould keell to see a bear on skates. . . In Russia, bear on skates vould KEELL YOU!

 

 

Comment from another message board I frequent. Can't say I disagree:

I can't understand the appeal in watching a bear ice skate. I mean, this is what gets people off, yet in most countries, recreational hallucinogens are illegal? Leave the bears alone and dole out LSD. The bears get their freedom; people get their ridiculous visuals. Problem solved.

In America, you vould keell to see a bear on skates. . . In Russia, bear on skates vould KEELL YOU!

 

 

just, the best. I bow.