Imagine going for a nature walk and suddenly facing a grizzly bear—terrifying, right?
That nightmare became reality for a school group in Bella Coola, British Columbia, when a bear attacked on Thursday.
Eleven people were injured, two critically.
Parents say it was chaos. Veronica Schooner told the Canadian Press that a male teacher “got the whole brunt of it.”
Some kids were sprayed with bear deterrent as adults tried to fend off the animal.
Her 10-year-old son was part of the group but escaped unharmed, though he recalled feeling the bear’s fur brush past him.
British Columbia Emergency Health Services confirmed the toll: two critically injured, two seriously hurt, and seven others treated on-site.
Bear Sighting Alert
The students were from Acwsalcta School, run by the indigenous Nuxalk Nation, about 700 km northwest of Vancouver.
Officials have urged locals to stay indoors while armed officers track the bear.
The Nation temporarily closed the school and offered counselling, writing on Facebook: “It’s hard to know what to say during this very difficult time.
We are so grateful for our team and our students.”
It’s a stark reminder that wild encounters aren’t just stories—they can happen anywhere.
So, when you’re out in the wilderness, maybe double-check that the only thing following you is your imagination.
