Two Hoquiam men were injured when their motorcycles encountered a bear on Highway 101 just south of the Jefferson County line Sunday afternoon.

According to a State Patrol report, Michael J. Cowan, 60, was heading northbound on his 2012 Harley Davidson FLSTC with a 21-year-old passenger from Aberdeen when a bear attempted to cross the roadway ahead of them. Cowan’s bike, which was towing a white Kompak camper trailer, collided with the bear, ejecting both riders from the bike.

Robert J. Matthews, was behind Cowan’s bike at the time of the accident and lost control of his 2002 Harley Davidson FLHT trying to avoid the accident and was thrown from the bike.

Cowan is a collection system operator in the City of Ocean Shores sewer department with more than 20 years of experience working for the city.

The State Patrol report indicated both men were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but a source at the hospital said, while Cowan is at Harborview in serious condition, there was no record of Matthews being admitted. Cowan’s passenger was uninjured. Both motorcycles were total losses. All three riders were wearing helmets. The condition of the bear is unknown. The roadway was partially blocked for more than three hours.