A massive grizzly bear carried out a frightening assault on a group of elementary school students and teachers, causing panic in Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada. The sudden appearance of the bear resulted in four individuals being seriously injured and seven others receiving treatment at the scene following the incident around 2pm on Thursday.
Veronica Schooner disclosed that her 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was part of the class that was attacked while on a walk. Alvarez had a close encounter with the bear, feeling its fur as he ran for safety. It was reported that a male teacher courageously tried to stop the bear and was among those who sustained severe injuries, bearing the brunt of the animal’s aggression.
Ms. Schooner shared that her son was deeply affected by the attack and recounted how the bear narrowly missed him while targeting someone else. The school was in a state of shock with many people in tears, prompting Ms. Schooner to swiftly take her son home.
As of Monday, the bear had not been captured, although the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service deployed additional officers to aid in the search. Efforts are underway to locate and capture two other bears seen in the vicinity during the attack.
Inspector Kevin Van Damme of the Conservation Officer Service urged residents to steer clear of the area, remain indoors, and travel only by vehicle until further notice due to the hazardous situation posed by the roaming bear. He emphasized the fluid and perilous nature of the situation, urging cooperation for the safety of both residents and officers.
To assist in the search, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Air Services helicopter equipped with thermal imaging cameras has been mobilized, while traps and cameras have been strategically placed. Any captured bears will undergo DNA testing to confirm their involvement in the attack before determining the next course of action.