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Grizzly bear attack leaves 11 injured in British Columbia
A grizzly bear attacked a school group on a walking trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia, on Thursday afternoon, injuring 11 people-including two critically-before fleeing into the area, authorities confirmed.
Attack details and injuries
The incident involved students and staff from Acwsalcta School, operated by the Indigenous Nuxalk Nation. British Columbia Emergency Health Services reported two victims in critical condition, two with serious injuries, and seven others treated at the scene.
A male teacher "took the full force" of the attack, while adults deployed bear spray to deter the animal, according to Veronica Schooner, a parent whose 10-year-old son was present but unharmed. "He said the bear ran so close he felt its fur," Schooner told Canadian Press, describing the chaos as the group scattered.
Community lockdown and response
Residents were urged to stay indoors as armed officers searched for the bear. The Nuxalk Nation issued a Facebook alert warning, "Officers are armed. Remain indoors and off the highway." The school was temporarily closed, with counseling services offered to students and staff.
"It's hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students."
Nuxalk Nation officials, via Facebook
Location and context
Bella Coola, a remote town 700 km (435 miles) northwest of Vancouver, lies within traditional Nuxalk territory. The attack underscores ongoing tensions between wildlife and communities in British Columbia's backcountry, where grizzly encounters, though rare, can turn deadly.
