Grizzly attacks schoolchildren and teachers on a walking trail in Canada, injuring 11

A grizzly bear attacked a group of schoolchildren and teachers on a walking trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia, injuring 11 individuals, including two critically. The attack took place Thursday afternoon, approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) northwest of Vancouver. Emergency Health Services spokesman Brian Twaites stated that two people sustained serious injuries while others received treatment at the scene. Parent Veronica Schooner described the panic, noting her son was so close to the bear that he felt its fur. Some children were hit with bear spray as teachers fought off the animal.

The Acwsalcta School, run by the Nuxalk First Nation, announced it would close Friday and provide counseling for students affected by the traumatic event. The Nuxalk Nation requested that residents remain indoors while police and conservation officers continue their search for the bear. This incident highlights the potential dangers of wildlife interactions in populated areas.