In July 2013, 49-year-old Matt Dyer joined a two-week wilderness expedition to Canada’s remote Torngat Mountains. He knew the trip would be difficult. The region had no roads, cell service, campsites, or nearby medical facilities.
But Matt did not expect to come face-to-face with a polar bear.
Just two days after arriving, a polar bear entered his tent in the middle of the night. It grabbed Matt by the head and dragged him toward the shoreline.
What followed was a terrifying fight for survival. Matt suffered severe injuries, but he survived the attack.
The incident also raised serious questions about where the group had chosen to camp and how they had responded to warnings about polar bears.
Matt Dyer’s Trip to the Torngat Mountains
Matt had discovered the expedition through a Sierra Club magazine. The trip offered participants a chance to explore one of Canada’s most remote national parks.
For Matt, the opportunity was hard to resist.
Although he worked as a lawyer, he lived simply in central Maine and provided free or low-cost legal assistance to poor residents. Spending about $6,000 on the expedition was a major expense.
But Matt loved the outdoors. He wanted to experience a place that was almost completely untouched by modern infrastructure.
On July 19, 2013, he boarded a small 19-seat Twin Otter aircraft at Montreal International Airport.
After flying more than 900 miles north, Matt and seven other participants reached a remote staging area. They spent two days there preparing for the expedition, reviewing hiking routes, and discussing emergency procedures.
They then boarded a float plane for the final flight into the Torngat Mountains.
The Torngat Mountains Were Beautiful but Dangerous
When the float plane descended through the clouds, Matt and the other hikers got their first view of the mountains.
The landscape was unlike anything most of them had seen before.
Huge mountains rose from the ground, shaped by glaciers over thousands of years. Deep fjords cut through the landscape, creating long stretches of clear water between the mountains.
The wilderness looked almost untouched.
But its beauty came with serious risks.
There were no roads or conventional campsites. There was no internet or cell phone service. Weather conditions could change quickly, and temperatures could become extremely cold and wet.
Most importantly, the area was home to polar bears.
Anyone entering the region had to be prepared to survive without immediate outside help.
The Group Sets Up Camp Near the Water
After arriving by float plane, the group walked about 500 feet from the landing area and selected a mostly flat area overlooking a fjord.
They set up their tents and placed a small electric fence around the camp.
The location provided an impressive view of the surrounding mountains and water.
But there was a major problem.
The campsite was very close to the shoreline.
The group had previously been warned that camps should be established well away from the water because polar bears frequently travel along the edges of the fjords.
Despite that warning, the hikers remained at the location.
Polar Bears Had Already Been Seen Near the Camp
The danger was not completely unexpected.
The group had already seen polar bears near their campsite. At one point, they even had to use flare guns to encourage bears to leave the area.
Yet they continued staying there.
The electric fence may have given the group some confidence that their tents were protected. But it was not enough to stop a determined polar bear.
The area around their campsite was also heavily used by polar bears. It was reportedly known as a kind of polar bear highway.
That made the location particularly risky.
The Night of the Polar Bear Attack
On the evening of July 23, Matt and the other hikers returned from another day of hiking.
The weather had been cold and rainy, but everyone was in good spirits.
The group was preparing to leave the campsite the following morning, so the trip leaders organized a small celebration.
They ate salami and crackers and drank rum mixed with lemonade while discussing the expedition.
Matt eventually became tired and went to his tent.
He climbed into his sleeping bag and fell asleep.
A few hours later, around 3:30 a.m., he suddenly woke up.
At first, he did not know why.
Then he noticed a large shadow moving across his tent.
The shape stopped above him.
The tent began collapsing under the animal’s weight.
Before Matt could understand what was happening, the tent was ripped open.
A pair of powerful arms reached inside.
The Polar Bear Grabbed Matt by the Head
Matt raised his hands in an attempt to protect himself and screamed for help.
The bear grabbed him by the head.
Matt was then pulled through the opening in his tent and dragged across the ground.
He could hear loud cracking sounds as he was being dragged. Later, he realized that some of those sounds came from his own injuries.
He also noticed the strong smell of the animal and saw white fur around him.
Matt realized what was happening.
A polar bear had attacked him.
The bear was dragging him toward the beach.
At that moment, Matt believed he was going to die.
The Camp Wakes Up
Matt’s scream woke the other members of the expedition.
Trip leader Marta Chase was one of the first people to come out of her tent.
She saw the polar bear only a few feet away.
The bear had already dragged Matt away from the camp.
Marta shouted for Rich Gross, the other trip leader, to get his flare gun.
Both leaders grabbed their weapons and moved toward the bear.
The other hikers also emerged from their tents.
For several moments, they were stunned by what they were seeing.
One of their companions was being dragged away by a polar bear.
Then Rich fired a flare.
The bright chemical fire startled the animal.
But the bear did not immediately release Matt.
The Flare Gave Matt a Chance to Survive
The sudden flare caused the bear to jerk its head.
Matt was thrown into the air and slammed back onto the ground.
He later believed this movement caused another serious injury.
But the bear released him.
For a moment, Matt was lying on the ground while the polar bear moved away.
He realized that he might survive.
Matt tried not to move.
He repeated the same thought in his mind:
“Please bear, go away.”
But the danger was not over.
The polar bear stopped.
Then it turned around.
It started moving back toward Matt.
A Second Flare Saved Matt
The bear approached Matt again.
It appeared ready to attack him a second time.
But Rich had moved closer to the beach and reloaded his flare gun.
Just as the bear was about to reach Matt, Rich fired another flare.
The bright flash startled the animal again.
This time, the polar bear ran away and did not return.
Matt had survived.
Matt’s Injuries Were Severe
Surviving the attack did not mean Matt escaped serious injury.
He had suffered extensive damage to his head and neck.
His injuries included:
- A fractured skull
- A broken jaw
- Puncture wounds
- Deep cuts across his head and neck
- Damage to his vocal cords
- Severe infections in his wounds
His voice was permanently affected by the attack.
The group was also fortunate to have a medical doctor among its members. The doctor was able to help stabilize Matt while they waited for outside assistance.
Without medical help, the outcome could have been very different.
Why Did the Polar Bear Attack Matt?
The attack happened in an area where polar bears regularly traveled.
The group had been warned to camp farther inland and away from the water.
Polar bears often move along shorelines and fjords while searching for food.
The expedition members were experienced wilderness travelers, but their experience did not prevent them from underestimating the danger.
The campsite was only a few hundred feet from the water.
The group had also already encountered polar bears in the area.
The attack showed why simply having an electric fence was not enough protection.
In a remote environment like the Torngat Mountains, campsite selection can be just as important as the equipment brought on an expedition.
What Changed After the Attack?
The incident led to changes in how organizations planned trips into the Torngat Mountains.
Parks Canada later required organizations entering the national park to have a polar bear protection plan.
The requirement emphasized the need to prepare specifically for the risks posed by polar bears.
The attack also became a powerful reminder that visitors to remote Arctic environments cannot rely on quick emergency assistance.
Prevention and preparation are critical.
Matt Returned to the Torngat Mountains
Despite everything that happened, Matt did not develop hatred toward polar bears.
In fact, the experience left him with an even greater interest in the animals.
About 11 months after the attack, in August 2014, Matt returned to the Torngat Mountains.
He even visited the location where the attack had happened.
This time, however, he was accompanied by an armed polar bear expert.
His decision to return says a lot about how he viewed the experience. Rather than allowing the attack to permanently change his relationship with the wilderness, Matt chose to return with a better understanding of the risks.
What the Matt Dyer Polar Bear Attack Teaches Us
The story is more than an account of a rare animal attack.
It shows how quickly conditions can change in remote wilderness.
The group had experienced hikers. They had discussed emergency procedures. They had safety equipment. They even had an electric fence.
But they still made one critical mistake: they camped too close to an area frequently used by polar bears.
The lesson is simple.
Experience and equipment cannot replace good judgment.
In environments where dangerous wildlife is present, following safety instructions and choosing the right campsite can make the difference between a safe trip and a life-threatening encounter.
Matt Dyer survived one of the most frightening wildlife attacks imaginable. His story also demonstrates how preparation, quick action, and a little luck can determine whether a person makes it out of a remote wilderness alive.