Grizzly Bear Attack Injures 11 on BC School Field Trip

A grizzly bear attacked a group of about 20 elementary students and teachers from Acwsalcta School during a field trip along a trail near Bella Coola, British Columbia, on Thursday afternoon, injuring 11 people including three children and one adult. The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. east of the remote central coast community, where the group had stopped near a river.

Conservation officers reported that a female grizzly sow and her two cubs emerged from the forest and charged the group, which included fourth and fifth graders from the Nuxalk Nation-run school. Teachers intervened to protect the students, using bear spray, a bear banger device and physical force to repel the animals. One teacher punched and kicked a bear despite sustaining severe injuries, while another emptied two cans of bear spray into its eyes and a third, on crutches, struck it repeatedly in the face and head until the bears retreated. Seven others received treatment at the scene for minor injuries, but four victims—three children and the adult teacher—suffered serious wounds and were airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital for advanced care. Two of those patients were listed in critical condition.