BASS LAKE, Calif. — A tranquil family outing turned chaotic when a bear wreaked havoc on a minivan at Bass Lake, near Yosemite National Park, on Tuesday.
Irik Edens and his family, visiting from Folsom, California, for their annual anniversary retreat, were startled when they discovered an unexpected visitor inside their vehicle.
“I noticed movement inside the van and thought it was one of the kids, but then I saw the silhouette of a bear through the rear window. It was like, ‘Holy cow! There’s a bear in our car!'” Edens recounted.
The bear had somehow become trapped inside the vehicle, prompting authorities to intervene by breaking a window to facilitate its escape.
Despite its brief stint inside, the bear managed to cause significant damage, leaving the interior in shambles.
Edens documented the incident on video for insurance purposes, capturing the bear’s destructive spree.
The family suspects the bear was enticed by leftover morning pancakes, which likely lured it into the van.
“I think it spent most of its time licking up syrup and then panicked, tearing everything apart in an attempt to escape,” Edens speculated.
In addition to the wreckage caused by its claws, the bear also left an unpleasant surprise for the family.
“Alongside all the destruction, it also defecated and urinated inside the car, leaving a foul odor,” Edens revealed.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the Edens family acknowledged that this year’s anniversary trip will be one for the memory books.
“It’s certainly a trip we won’t forget,” said Mellissa Edens. “We may need to reconsider our plans for the rest of this year’s vacation.”