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Toronto singer killed by coyotes
Rare attack occurred at Cape Breton Highland National Park in Nova Scotia

2009/10/28 12:27:29

Taylor Mitchell, a 19-year-old Toronto singer whose debut album was released in March, has died in a Nova Scotia hospital after being mauled by coyotes in a Cape Breton park.

Mitchell was hiking Tuesday on the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park when she was attacked by two coyotes. Another hiker, who was walking nearby, heard her cries for help and called 911.

Officers arrived about 3:15 p.m., and one of the coyotes fled into the bush. The other coyote was shot and limped away.

Mitchell was airlifted to a hospital in Halifax, where she died early Wednesday.

Her mother, Emily, was with her at the hospital, said Lisa Weitz, Mitchell's manager.

The singer and songwriter, who loved the outdoors, had started her East Coast tour on Oct. 23 in New Brunswick and was scheduled to perform in Sydney tonight. "She had a small break and (she) wanted to go hiking," said Weitz.

Mitchell, whose MySpace photograph has her standing in the woods with a guitar in one hand, released her debut album this March.

A website review describes her album as "a collection of mostly original songs that showcases a range of styles, from folk to country-rock to pop."

Born and raised in Toronto, Mitchell studied music from an early age and graduated in 2008 from Etobicoke School of the Arts.

She was very excited to be touring the Maritimes, said Weitz. "She was just exhilarated to be on the road and performing."

Friends and family are in shock, said Weitz.

In Nova Scotia, Don Anderson, a biologist with that province's Natural Resources Department, said coyote attacks in the area are uncommon, but they do happen from time to time.

An Ontario girl was bitten on the same trail several years ago, Anderson said.

Ethel Merry, owner of the nearby Cheticamp Motel, said the incident was unfortunate but she wasn't surprised to hear about it. She said the motel is about 10 kilometres from the entrance of the park but she often sees coyotes.

"My home is a 100 feet from (the motel) but if it's dark outside, I don't walk alone," she said. "I've seen too many coyotes."

Merry said the attack hasn't fazed locals or park visitors. "Skyline Trail is one of the most beautiful and famous trails in the park. This isn't stopping any hikers," she said.

The park is on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island.