A grizzly bear is on the loose after attacking a school group in Canada, leaving 11 people injured, two critically. The incident happened on Thursday afternoon on a walking trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia. Residents have been warned to remain indoors while armed officers try to track down the animal. A male teacher 'got the whole brunt of it' and some children were hit with bear spray as the adults tried to fend off the animal, Veronica Schooner, a parent, told the Canadian Press.
Ms. Schooner said her 10-year-old son was part of the school group, though he was not attacked. 'He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else,' she said, adding that 'he even felt its fur.' British Columbia Emergency Health Services reported that two people were critically injured, two more were seriously hurt, and seven others were treated at the scene.
The group came from Acwsalcta School, run by the indigenous Nuxalk Nation, located 700km (435 miles) north-west of Vancouver. 'Officers are armed,' the Nation wrote on Facebook. 'Remain indoors and off the highway.' Officials have temporarily closed the school and are offering counselling services to support affected students and staff.
Ms. Schooner said her 10-year-old son was part of the school group, though he was not attacked. 'He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else,' she said, adding that 'he even felt its fur.' British Columbia Emergency Health Services reported that two people were critically injured, two more were seriously hurt, and seven others were treated at the scene.
The group came from Acwsalcta School, run by the indigenous Nuxalk Nation, located 700km (435 miles) north-west of Vancouver. 'Officers are armed,' the Nation wrote on Facebook. 'Remain indoors and off the highway.' Officials have temporarily closed the school and are offering counselling services to support affected students and staff.
