UPDATE: A shocking grizzly bear attack on a group of schoolchildren and teachers in Bella Coola, British Columbia, has left 11 people injured, two of them critically. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2023, on a walking trail approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) northwest of Vancouver.
Authorities confirm that the aggressive bear remains on the loose, prompting urgent warnings from local officials. The Nuxalk Nation has advised residents to stay indoors and avoid highways as police and conservation officers respond to the situation. “Officers are armed. Remain indoors and off the highway,” the First Nation stated in a social media post.
Emergency Health Services spokesman Brian Twaites reported that two individuals sustained critical injuries, while two others suffered serious injuries. The remaining victims were treated at the scene.
Witness accounts reveal the harrowing moments of the attack. Parent Veronica Schooner described how her son, 10-year-old Alvarez, was in a class of fourth- and fifth-graders during the incident. Alvarez was so close to the bear that he “even felt its fur.” Schooner recounted, “He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else.” As teachers fought to fend off the bear, some children were accidentally hit with bear spray.
After the chaotic scene, Alvarez was limping and his shoes muddy from running for safety. His thoughts, however, were with his classmates. “He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends,” Schooner shared.
The Acwsalcta School, which is operated by the Nuxalk First Nation, has announced that it will be closed on Friday, October 20, 2023, and will provide counseling services for students and staff affected by the traumatic event. “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 stated on Facebook.
As authorities continue to search for the bear and assess the situation, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this shocking attack. Residents are urged to stay alert and report any sightings of the bear.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
