URGENT UPDATE: A grizzly bear has attacked a group of schoolchildren and teachers on a walking trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia, injuring 11 people, with two critically injured. The shocking incident unfolded Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2023, approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) northwest of Vancouver.
Authorities confirm that the bear remains on the loose, prompting police and conservation officers to actively patrol the area. The Nuxalk Nation has issued a warning via social media, stating: “Officers are armed. Remain indoors and off the highway.”
Emergency Health Services spokesman Brian Twaites reported that two individuals sustained serious injuries, while others were treated on the scene. Disturbingly, one male teacher was gravely injured while attempting to protect the students. Parent Veronica Schooner described her son, Alvarez, who was in the fourth and fifth-grade class, as being so close to the bear that he “even felt its fur.”
According to Schooner, “He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else.” The chaotic scene saw some children affected by bear spray as teachers bravely fought off the animal. Alvarez was left limping, his shoes muddy from a desperate escape for safety. “He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends,” Schooner said, highlighting the emotional toll on the children.
Acwsalcta School, an independent institution operated by the Nuxalk First Nation, announced on Facebook that classes would be canceled on Friday, October 20, 2023, and counseling services would be made available. “It’s hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students,” the school wrote.
As the situation develops, officials are urging the community to stay vigilant and report any bear sightings immediately. The local community is reeling from this traumatic event, and the focus now shifts to the wellbeing of the injured and the emotional recovery of the students.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
