Teachers on Thursday fended off a grizzly bear that attacked a school group walking along a trail in British Columbia, Canada, officials said.
“The group had stopped along a trail near the community when a grizzly bear emerged from the woods and attacked,” said Insp. Kevin Van Damme of British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service, said in an update on social media. “Teachers successfully repelled the bear with pepper spray and bear bang.”
According to CBC News, 11 people were injured in the attack, including students in fourth and fifth grades.
Two were in critical condition, two were in serious condition and the other seven were treated at the scene, British Columbia Health Services said.
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British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service said the grizzly emerged from the woods and “attacked.” (Matthew Bailey/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The incident happened in Bella Coola, a city more than 400 miles north of Vancouver.
The victims were taken to Bella Coola Hospital and transferred to Vancouver for further care, Van Damme said.
Officials were still searching Friday for the bear, which they said may have been previously injured.
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“We recognize that this incident is distressing for the community. We are in close contact with the Nuxalk Nation as our investigation continues. We thank them for their joint efforts to ensure community awareness and shared safety information,” Van Damme said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.”
Bella Coola is located more than 400 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia. (Google Maps)
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Tamara Davidson, British Columbia’s Minister of Environment and Parks, called the teachers who fought the bear “true heroes,” adding that they were well prepared, according to the Guardian.
