Grizzly Bear Attack in Canada Injures 11 Students and Teachers

A group of students and teachers in Canada experienced a terrifying incident when a grizzly bear attacked their group during a walk, resulting in 11 of them being injured and two of them left in critical condition.

On Thursday, November 20 at 1:46 p.m., the BC Emergency Health Services received a call about an “animal attack” on a trail near Highway 20 in Bella Coola on British Columbia’s Central Coast, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Two people were critically injured and two others were seriously hurt in the attack, per the outlet. Meanwhile, an additional seven people were treated at the scene but did not need to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, Acwsalcta School shared via Facebook that the school would be closed on Friday, November 21 “due to the bear incident.”

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“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 added in the statement.

Hours later, the school shared that they were offering opportunities for support following the attack. “We wanted to be able to share supports available tomorrow for those who would like to seek community, comfort and debriefing opportunities,” the post read. “The Youth Centre will be open tomorrow starting at 8:30 a.m. for smudging & brushing, individual counselling, and a cultural fire. Stutwiniitscwap to all the brave and compassionate community members who helped today.”

The ages of the victims have not yet been confirmed. It’s not clear how many of the victims were students and how many were teachers.

Additionally, the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service confirmed there had been a “grizzly bear attack” in the area. “Initial information suggests several people may have been injured,” a Facebook post from the office read.

“Public safety is the priority. The #BCCOS is on scene with RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and directing all residents to stay out of the forested and river area near the 4 Mile area until further notice,” the agency’s statement continued.

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Veronica Schooner, whose 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was on the hike, opened up about his experience while speaking to The Canadian Press. “He was running for his life,” she said, adding that Alvarez was so close to the animal that “he even felt its fur.”

Schooner went on to share that many people tried to stop the attack, though claimed a male teacher “got the whole brunt of it” and was among those transported to the hospital, per The Canadian Press.

The incident left Schooner’s son and many of the other students “in shock.” She continued, “A lot of people were crying, and I don’t know, I just wanted my son, and I grabbed him, and then I took him home.”