Additional Coverage:
BELLA COOLA VALLEY, BC – A peaceful outing in British Columbia’s Bella Coola Valley took a harrowing turn on Thursday when a grizzly bear attacked a group of students and teachers from Acwsalcta School. The incident, which occurred in the Nuxalk Nation territory, left several individuals injured, prompting a community-wide alert and call for residents to remain indoors.
According to reports, two individuals sustained critical injuries, two others were seriously hurt, and more received treatment at the scene. The group was from Acwsalcta School, located approximately 435 miles northwest of Vancouver.
A male teacher reportedly bore “the whole brunt” of the attack, while some children were exposed to bear spray as adults attempted to deter the animal. Veronica Schooner, a parent whose 10-year-old son was part of the group but fortunately unharmed, recounted her son’s close call to the Canadian Press. “He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else,” Schooner shared, adding that her son “even felt its fur.”
In response to the dangerous encounter, Nuxalk Nation officials have issued urgent warnings, advising residents to “remain indoors and off the highway.” They also instructed people to avoid walking and instead utilize the free bus service. The Nation announced that “officers are armed” as they work to locate the bear.
The Acwsalcta School has been temporarily closed, and counseling services are being offered to support those affected by the traumatic event.