Breaking News:- 11 People Injured in Bella Coola. A grizzly bear attack schoolchildren and teachers. Prompting an intense community-wide search for the still unfound animal.
Eleven people were injured, two of them critically, when a grizzly bear attacked a group of schoolchildren and teachers on a walking trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia, on Thursday. The remote community, located 270 miles northwest of Vancouver, saw an immediate response from police, conservation officers and the Nuxalk Nation, which warned that the “aggressive bear” remained at large.
According to the province’s conservation officer service, the grizzly suddenly emerged from the forest and charged the group as they were eating lunch along the trail. British Columbia Environment Minister Tamara Davidson praised the teachers who stepped in to shield the children, calling them “true heroes” for risking their lives to stop the attack. Three children were transported to hospital two in critical condition while an adult was airlifted to Vancouver. Seven others were treated in Bella Coola.
Conservation officers continued searching through the night but have yet to locate the bear. Early assessments suggest the animal may have been previously injured, which could explain its unusually aggressive behavior. Insp. Kevin Van Damme, a 25-year veteran of the conservation service, called the encounter “extremely rare” and said officers were still trying to determine what triggered the charge.
Nuxalk Nation Chief Samuel Schooner said the community was “devastated,” confirming that everyone involved was receiving care. Armed patrols were deployed, and residents were urged to stay indoors. A community ride service was set up to prevent people from walking outside while the bear remained at large.
Parent Veronica Schooner said her 10-year-old son Alvarez had been close enough for the bear’s fur to brush past him as it ran. Teachers used bear spray to fight off the animal; in the chaos, some students were inadvertently exposed to the spray. Alvarez escaped with a limp and muddy shoes but remained anxious for classmates who were more seriously injured.
Acwsalcta School announced it would close Friday and provide counseling support. The school thanked the community for its support during an “extremely difficult time.”
As residents take precautions, some have also reflected on broader conversations around readiness and personal safety in remote regions. While bear spray and proper wildlife awareness remain the primary tools recommended by experts, outdoor workers in the region often discuss general preparedness whether that’s maintaining emergency kits or reliable gear.
Grizzly bears hold deep cultural significance for the Nuxalk and other First Nations, and the province has banned trophy hunting since 2017. First Nations still retain rights to harvest bears for food, social or ceremonial purposes. Despite recent incidents including three grizzly attacks reported since September such encounters remain rare.