Bear mauls teen with rare neurological disorder in horrifying Arizona attack after sneaking into his cabin as he watched videos on his phone

A black bear mauled a teenage boy with a rare neurological condition after walking into an Arizona holiday cabin through an open door. 

Brigham Hawkins, 15, was caught off guard by the predator which snuck inside while he was relaxing at the retreat in the Apache National Forest.

His family say he accidentally left the cabin door open, allowing the beast to get inside. 

Brigham's rare neurological disorder means he isn't able to move quickly, so he had little hope of defending himself against the three-year-old bear. 

Brigham Hawkins, 15, was caught off guard by the predator which snuck inside while he was relaxing at the retreat in the Apache National Forest.

Carol said he was watching videos on YouTube with the back door open when the black bear crept in and pawed at his face from behind. 

'He hadn't realized it because it came in from behind, and it reached over and like swiped at his face twice,' Carol told AZ Family. 

'Got him on the nose and the cheek and then went ahead and got his forehead and the top of his head.'

Carol said the bear left the cabin after the first swipe - but then came back to launch a second attack. 

Luckily, Brigham's brother Parker was close by outside and heard him screaming. He ran to the cabin and was able to chase the bear away. 

Brigham's rare neurological disorder means he isn't able to move quickly, so he had little hope of defending himself against the three-year-old bear

His mom, Carol Hawkins, said the family has been holidaying in the cabin near Blue River Road for years and she never thought something like this could happen. (Pictured: the Apache National Forest in Arizona where the bear attack happened) 

Arizona Game and Fish Department Law Enforcement Supervisor Shawn Wagner said Parker likely saved his brother's life.  

'It was thanks to the quick reaction by his brother and his family that they were able to distract the bear from what very easily in a matter of seconds could have turned into a real tragedy there,' he told AZ Family. 

Officials were also called to the scene, where they tracked down the bear and killed it.

Its body has been taken to the state health lab where it is being tested for rabies. 

Brigham was taken to the hospital where his wounds were treated and he was given a precautionary rabies vaccine. He is expected to make a full recovery. 

'Never in our wildest dreams did we think (a bear) would come in the home,' Brigham's mom, Carol Hawkins (pictured) told AZ Family

'Everybody that came into help him, he had a big thank you and so he's handling it well. And he'll be okay,' his mom told AZ Family. 

Wagner said the incident is only the 16th bear attack on people in Arizona since 1990, and of those attacks only two were deadly. 

'Having an attack is extremely rare,' he said. 

Arizona Game and Fish Department advises people vacationing in areas where bears also live to be alert to their surroundings. 

Officials advise securing stowing away food or anything else which could attract a bear, and avoiding leaving any remnants in tents or grills. 

The department also advises pitching camps away from places where bears usually forage like lakes and other bodies of water. 

They recommend hiking in groups rather than alone, making noise, and avoiding wearing scents which could attract bears like lotions, scented deodorants or perfume. 

If you encounter a bear, you should back away slowly while maintaining eye contact - do not run. 

Officials advise making yourself appear as big as possible if a bear approaches by flapping your arms or pulling your shirt higher than your head.

If attacked, the department advises throwing items, yelling and fighting back.