A grizzly bear attacked a group of school students during a lunch break on a trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia, according to the Conservation Officer Service. The bear emerged from the forest, prompting multiple teachers to step in and use bear spray and a bear banger to scare it off.
The incident involved students in Grades 4 and 5, resulting in three children and one adult being injured. Two of the victims sustained critical injuries and are being airlifted to Vancouver for urgent medical treatment, while the remaining seven received treatment locally.
Despite overnight efforts, the conservation officers have not located the grizzly yet and are continuing their search in the area, located approximately 700 kilometers northwest of Vancouver. Preliminary investigations suggest the bear might have been previously injured, leading the service to caution community members to steer clear of the forested and river areas near the site of the attack.
Insp. Kevin Van Damme of the Conservation Officer Service expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, acknowledging the distressing nature of the incident and assuring ongoing cooperation with the Nuxalk Nation during the investigation. The affected school commended the bravery and resilience of its students and staff, while the Nuxalk Nation’s academy pledged support for those impacted by the incident.