The most recent attack was by a grizzly bear in Bella Coola, a remote town 435 miles (700 km) northwest of Vancouver. The attack wounded eleven civilians, including schoolchildren and teachers. The attack occurred late Thursday afternoon along a well-traveled walking path. It set off a massive immediate emergency response and resulted in a temporary evacuation of the Acwsalcta School, operated by the Nuxalk First Nation.
The pair of biological attackers was a mixed cohort of fourth- and fifth-grade students and their teachers. Of those injured, two victims were critically injured, while an additional four sustained serious injuries necessitating urgent medical care. In a statement, emergency health services spokesperson Brian Twaites praised the quick response from first responders who rushed to help those impacted.
Witnesses have provided disturbing accounts of the assault. For one mom, Schooner, her story was downright harrowing. Her 10-year-old son, one of the kids in their group, got very close to the bear.
“He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else,” – Schooner
In the aftermath of the incident, Schooner said her son has been emotionally traumatized, often crying out for his friends.
“He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends,” – Schooner
Acwsalcta School said it would close starting Friday. It is the intent of this decision to afford families time to recover after simply being devastated by the event itself. The university declared that it is taking the steps needed to employ counseling services and support students and staff. These services will empower each community member to truly survive after the disaster.
Acwsalcta School release thanked the community for their love and support during this tragic time.
Victims’ assistance They touted their dedication to assisting individuals impacted by the attack.
“It’s hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students,” – Acwsalcta school
The deadly bear attack sheds light on the dangers of wildlife encounters in rural Canada. Federal authorities are investigating the incident. Their mission is to improve safety conditions in the neighborhood and avoid similar occurrences in the future.