School Field Trip Turns to Terror as Grizzly Attacks
A peaceful school field trip turned into a nightmare when a grizzly bear attacked a group of elementary students and teachers in remote British Columbia, leaving eleven people injured and sparking an intensive search operation that continues days later.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in Bella Coola, northwest of Vancouver, when approximately twenty fourth- and fifth-grade students from Acwsalcta School were enjoying lunch along a forested trail across the highway from their school.
Two victims were left critically injured, with two more suffering serious wounds in the sudden and violent encounter that has left the small community reeling.
Heroic Teachers Confront Vicious Bear
Several teachers demonstrated extraordinary bravery during the attack, immediately springing into action to protect their students. They deployed bear spray and a bear banger - a device designed to scare aggressive animals with loud noises - but the grizzly remained undeterred.
Veronica Schooner, whose ten-year-old son Alvarez was among the students, described how close the children came to the animal. "He was running for his life," she told local media. "He said that bear ran so close to him, he even felt its fur, but it was going after somebody else."
Noel Pootlass, the head Nuxalk hereditary chief, revealed that all the students and teachers involved are his relatives, with the most seriously injured teacher being his cousin. "I'm so thankful for the three teachers who intervened," Pootlass told the Canadian Press.
He detailed the heroic efforts: "My cousin was jumping on the bear, kicking it, while another teacher was spraying with bear spray two feet from its face. He used two cans on it and it wasn't fazed. So, one woman teacher was using her crutches to hit the bear."
Intensive Search Operation Underway
As of Monday, the bear responsible for the attack remains at large despite an extensive search operation involving multiple conservation officers and advanced technology.
The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service has deployed additional officers and set up traps and cameras throughout the area. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police Air Services helicopter equipped with thermal imaging cameras has joined the search efforts.
Conservation Officer Service Inspector Kevin Van Damme issued a stark warning to local residents: "I really need to stress how dangerous this situation is with this bear at large. We can appreciate people want to be involved but this is a fluid and dangerous situation."
Authorities have urged locals to avoid the area, remain indoors and only travel by vehicle until further notice. The search has expanded to include two other grizzlies spotted in the area during the attack.
Any bears captured will undergo DNA testing to confirm their involvement in the incident, with next steps determined in consultation with wildlife experts.
Community Grapples with Aftermath
The attack has left deep emotional scars on the small community. Three seriously injured students and a teacher, who suffered grave injuries including head trauma while defending the children, remained in Metro Vancouver hospitals over the weekend.
One grandmother revealed on social media that her granddaughter required 100 stitches, suffered three broken bones and needed emergency surgery following the attack.
British Columbia Premier David Eby praised the teachers' courage during a news conference, stating: "I want to thank the teachers for their heroism and their willingness to confront this vicious animal."
Pootlass suggested ecosystem disruptions, including recent clear-cutting and forest fires, may have driven the bear to attack, making the animals "desperate" as they're pushed from their natural habitat.
Students were expected to return to Acwsalcta School on Tuesday as the community begins the difficult process of recovery while authorities continue their determined search for the dangerous bear.
