A grizzly bear is currently loose in Bella Coola, British Columbia, following an attack on a school group that left 11 people injured, including two critically.
The frightening incident occurred on Thursday afternoon on a walking trail. In response, local residents have been advised to remain indoors while armed officers work to locate the bear.
According to Veronica Schooner, a parent of one of the students, a male teacher absorbed most of the attack, and some children were inadvertently sprayed with bear spray as adults tried to fend off the animal.
Despite her son being part of the group, he managed to escape without injuries, although he reported that the bear ran very close to him during the chaos. He even felt its fur, Schooner recounts.
British Columbia Emergency Health Services confirmed that two individuals sustained critical injuries, while another two suffered serious harm, with seven others receiving treatment at the site.
The kidnapped individuals were from the Acwsalcta School, which is associated with the indigenous Nuxalk Nation, located approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) northwest of Vancouver. In a social media post, Nuxalk Nation officials warned that officers are armed and emphasized the importance of staying indoors and off the highways.
In light of the attack, the Nuxalk Nation has temporarily closed the school and is providing counseling services to affected students and staff. They expressed their gratitude for the community’s support during this troubling time.
