Local's story featured on TV show

Bruce Piasecki of Bigfork Propane thought his 22-minutes of fame were over in 1997, when "Dateline" aired a piece about his 1995 rescue of a boy who had been mauled by a grizzly bear.

But now he's getting attention again, featured on a recent 60-minute episode of the Animal Planet's "I Shouldn't Be Alive" which aired for the first time Friday.

The episode, titled "Nightmare on a Mountain," details Bruce and son Bryce's elk-hunting trip during which taking an alternate route down the mountain in torrential weather and happenstance led them to 18-year-old Bram Schaffer. He had been attacked by a grizzly bear and was unable to move.

"The weather was nasty," Bruce Piasecki said. "I came up with the idea and was wondering if my muzzleloader would fire (in the rain). It fired and he (Bram) was 100 yards away and fired back. That's how I found him."

Piasecki carried Schaffer more than a mile down the mountain to receive care.

Piasecki was interviewed in Billings for the episode about seven months ago.

He along with others involved, are played by actors in the show which he said weaves a good tale. The show describes the event as "a powerful story of luck and courage in punishing conditions."

The show aired again this week in early morning time slots and is scheduled air next week at 5 p.m. Eastern time Feb. 14. Check local listings for updates.