Teachers fight grizzly bears attacking students in British Columbia: ‘heroes’
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Teachers on Thursday fought 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 forest and attacked them,” said Insp. Kevin Van Damme of British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service said in a social media update. “The teachers were able to repel the bear using pepper spray and a bear firecracker.”
Eleven people were injured in the attack, including fourth and fifth grade students, according to CBC News.
Two were in critical condition, two were in serious condition and the remaining seven were treated at the scene, British Columbia Health Services said.
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The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service said the grizzly bear emerged from the woods and “attacked.” (Matthew Bailey/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The incident occurred in Bella Coola, a town more than 400 miles north of Vancouver.
The victims were taken to Bella Coola Hospital and transferred to Vancouver for further treatment, Van Damme said.
As of Friday, authorities were still searching for the bear, which they said may have been injured previously.
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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 collaborative efforts to ensure community awareness and safety information sharing,” Van Damme said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.”
Bella Coola is over 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.
