Washington is reaping what they have sown here with their poor predator management policies. Between restrictions on cat hunting, elimination of black bear hunting opportunities, strong push for Grizzly re-introduction, and of course unmanaged wolves these kinds of attacks will become more and more common. EG: the Washington State Game Commission has anti-hunters on it appointed by the Governer. They canceled the Spring Bear season in 2020 - going against the Biologist recommendations from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am not being dramatic when I say they are trying to severely curtail if not eliminate hunting in the state.
There was a death in North Bend in 2018 (about 6.7 miles from Fall City as the crow flies). In this one, one of the two cyclists fled and left his buddy to fend off the lion by himself. Rough chain of events per the reporting was
-The two cyclists stopped to rest when the cat attacked
-Cyclist one was attacked and the cat had his head in it's mouth
-Cyclist two took off running and the cat dropped cyclist 1 and pursued the runner
-Cyclist one took off on his bike to "get help" which was a good 2+ miles away.
-Cyclist two was killed.
-Wash Fish and wildlife killed the Lion that looked to be a young male and was guarding the kill when they arrived.
Remember, only prey runs. if you are attacked by a cat, stand and fight to the bitter end. I have to wonder what would have happened Cyclist one had stayed and fought with cyclist two.
I was born and raised in the Seattle area and had to flee to a sanctuary state as a political refugee due to crap like this.