On November 20, 11 people, including a child, were attacked by a grizzly bear in Bella Coola, a town about 420 km north of Vancouver on the Midwest coast of British Columbia (BC).
The incident occurred around 1:45 pm on the same day on a trail near Highway 20. Multiple media outlets reported that the attackers were students and teachers from Akswarkuta School, run by the indigenous Naxaluk people, who were on a field trip.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS), students and teachers were eating lunch when the bear emerged from the woods. Several teachers used bear spray and bear bangers (sound devices used to repel bears) to scare the bear away. Grizzly bear attacks on groups of people are extremely rare.
Of the 11 injured people, two in serious condition and two in critical condition, including three children, were airlifted to hospital, according to BC Emergency Medical Services.
BCCOS teams are still searching for the grizzly bear responsible for the attack, working with the Naxaluk Nation and urging residents to avoid forests and riverside areas within the 4-mile area.
Following the incident, British Columbia Premier David Eby praised the bravery of the teachers who faced the bear, saying, “My heart goes out to the injured student and his family, and I wish them a speedy recovery.”