Singer, 19, killed in coyote attack

Taylor Mitchell, 19, a singer-songwriter from Toronto, was hiking solo in Nova Scotia when two coyotes attacked her on Tuesday. She was airlifted to a hospital in Halifax, but died yesterday from her injuries.

The alarm was raised when walkers heard Ms Mitchell's screams on the remote trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Rangers shot one coyote but were still searching for the second. Brigdit Leger, a spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the two coyotes were "extremely aggressive" when rangers arrived at the scene.

Paul Maynard, of Canada's emergency health services, said Ms Mitchell had multiple bite wounds. "She was losing a considerable amount of blood," Mr Maynard added.

Attacks on humans by coyotes, also known as prairie wolves, are rare - they usually prey on deer and hare.

Ms Mitchell, who was touring the region to promote a new album, had been nominated for a 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award in the Young Performer Of The Year category.

Her manager Lisa Weitz said: "Words can't begin to express the sadness and tragedy of losing such a sweet, compassionate, vibrant and phenomenally talented young woman."

Biologist Bob Bancroft said it was possible the coyotes thought Ms Mitchell was a deer or other prey. "It's very unusual and not likely to be repeated," he said. "We shouldn't assume that coyotes are suddenly going to become the big bad wolf."

Officials with Parks Canada are trying to determine what prompted such an unusual attack. Park superintendent Helene Robichaud said: "There have been some reports of aggressive animals, but certainly never so tragic."