by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
BELLA COOLA, CANADA (Worthy News) – A remote Indigenous community in western Canada was reeling Friday after a grizzly bear mauled a group of schoolchildren and teachers on a forest trail in British Columbia, injuring 11 people — two of them critically, according to local officials.
The attack occurred Thursday afternoon near Bella Coola, some 700 kilometers (435 miles) northwest of Vancouver.
The Nuxalk Nation, which governs the region, said an “aggressive bear” remained at large late Thursday as police and conservation officers searched the area.
“Officers are armed. Remain indoors and off the highway,” the First Nation warned in a public safety message.
TEACHERS TRIED TO PROTECT CHILDREN
Emergency Health Services spokesman Brian Twaites confirmed that two victims were airlifted in critical condition, while two others sustained serious injuries.
Several additional children and staff were treated at the scene for non-life-threatening wounds and trauma.
Parents described scenes of terror and bravery as teachers tried to shield students.
Veronica Schooner, whose 10-year-old son Alvarez was among the fourth- and fifth-grade group on the walk, said adults rushed to intervene. One male teacher “got the whole brunt of it,” she said, and was among those flown to hospital.
ACCIDENTALLY HIT BY BEAR SPRAY
Schooner said her son was just inches from the grizzly. “He even felt its fur,” she explained. “He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else.”
In the chaos, some children were accidentally hit with bear spray as staff fought to drive the animal away.
Alvarez made it to safety but was reportedly limping, his clothes muddy from running.
His mother said his focus was on classmates who were hurt. “He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends,” she added.
SCHOOL CLOSED; COUNSELING OFFERED
Acwsalcta School — an independent school operated by the Nuxalk First Nation — announced it would remain closed Friday and that counselors would be available for students and families coping with shock and fear.
“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 said in a message to the community.
As of Friday, conservation officers had not yet confirmed whether the bear had been located.
Canadian wildlife authorities say encounters of this severity are rare, but rural communities in grizzly territory often face heightened risks during autumn feeding periods.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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A remote Indigenous community in western Canada was reeling Friday after a grizzly bear mauled a group of schoolchildren and teachers on a forest trail in British Columbia, injuring 11 people — two of them critically, according to local officials.
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