Eleven people suffered injuries after a bear attack in British Columbia. The injured were members of a Canadian school group on Thursday afternoon. Among them is a teacher and a parent, whose injuries were described as critical. Two other members of the group sustained serious injuries from the animal.
The bear, a grizzly, reportedly attacked a group of fourth and fifth-graders. The school group had been walking along a trail in Bella Coola when the grizzly suddenly came out of the forest. In those first seconds, several teachers did not hesitate to step in. According to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the adults used bear spray and a bear banger to push the animal away.
One of the parents later shared that her 10-year-old son was close enough to feel the bear’s fur, an experience that left him shaken. Her account also highlighted the teacher who took the worst of the attack, a man she said “got the whole brunt of it.” He remained among the victims, still receiving medical care on Friday morning, along with three children.
While two people were critically injured and two others seriously hurt, seven individuals had injuries that could be treated at the scene. The uneven weather that afternoon added to the difficulty of reaching the group, slowing down rescue crews who were trying to move the wounded to safety.
An independent school operated by the Nuxalk Nation emphasised how deeply the event affected its members. In a statement, Acwsalcta School thanked staff for remaining calm and protective during the emergency, recognising the efforts made to shield students. Administrators also acknowledged the children, noting their cooperation and bravery.
“Today was frightening, and your resilience is truly admirable,” the school said. By Friday morning, the BCCOS confirmed the grizzly had been seen again but not captured. Officers planned to continue efforts to locate and assess the animal, urging residents around the 4 Mile area to stay indoors until further notice.