Family releases statement on death of Suncor employee

A woman who was mauled to death by a black bear at a site north of Fort McMurray is being remembered for her warmth and compassion.

36-year-old Lorna Weafer was killed by a large black bear while she was doing some electrical work on Wednesday afternoon.

Several other workers who witnessed the attack tried to scare the bear away, but were unsuccessful.

Media in Ireland are reporting on the incident because Weafer is the cousin of Irish actor Alan O’Neill, from ‘Sons of Anarchy’.

He tweeted how devastated the entire family is by her death.

The Weafer family released a statement on Friday saying Lorna was a warm and compassionate person who immigrated to Canada from Ireland when she was a child.

• Weafer Family Statement

Fish and Wildlife located the bear soon after the fatal attack and it was shot. The body is being tested to confirm that it was the bear that killed Weafer.

Suncor extended its condolences to the family and friends Weafer.

“This is an absolutely tragic event,” Suncor spokesperson Sneh Seetal told CTV Edmonton. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families.”

Seetal said Suncor is working with authorities to investigate the incident and determine how the attack occurred.

She added that the company does offer bear awareness safety sessions to its employees, including how to alert others of any bear sightings.

(With files from CTVNews.ca)