A hiker was killed in northern Greece this summer after he fell down a ravine while being charged at by a bear.

Christos Stavrianidis, 61, was walking through the Fratko forest with his friend Dimitris when the pair encountered the ferocious beast.

Dimitris' life was spared, but he believes Christos was 'pushed' down the cliff by the bear after it came charging at them.

Footage of the horror encounter surfaced this week, with a video clip showing how a large brown bear appeared on the path and moved towards Christos before the hiker plunged to his death.

The story has shocked the nation, but this was not the first time a case of its kind has grabbed headlines.