A grizzly bear suddenly charged at a group of Native American schoolchildren and their teachers, leaving 11 people injured — some of them in critical condition — including a brave teacher who tried to fend off the “aggressive” animal.
The students, a mix of fourth- and fifth-graders, were on a Thursday afternoon nature walk along a trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia — roughly 430 miles northwest of Vancouver — when the bear launched its attack, BC Emergency Health Services reported. The animal has not yet been found.
Out of the 11 hurt, two are in critical condition and at least two others are seriously injured. Officials have not confirmed how many of the victims were children from the Nuxalk First Nation’s Acwsalcta School.
According to the Canadian Press, parent Veronica Schooner said several teachers put themselves in harm’s way trying to protect the children, including one male teacher who “got the whole brunt of it” and had to be airlifted to a hospital.
Schooner shared that her 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was so close to the grizzly during the chaos that “he even felt its fur.”
“He said the bear ran right past him because it was chasing someone else,” she explained, adding that her son has been deeply “traumatized” by the ordeal.
“He can’t stop crying for his friends, and immediately he began praying for them,” she said.
Acwsalcta School later announced it would remain closed on Friday due to “the bear incident.”
“It’s difficult to find the right words during such a painful time. We are extremely thankful for our staff and students,” the school posted on social media.
Authorities have instructed locals to stay inside while the search for the bear continues, warning residents not to attempt to track it down themselves.
Nuxalk Nation Chief Samuel Schooner said the attack has left the entire community “devastated.”
“All individuals involved are receiving medical care, and our top priority is ensuring their safety,” he said.
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