Students from Acwsalcta School were on a daytime trail outing when the bear rushed the group.
BELLA COOLA, B.C. — A grizzly bear injured 11 people Thursday when it charged an elementary school class and teachers on a forested trail off Highway 20, authorities said. Two victims were listed in critical condition as helicopters ferried the most seriously hurt to larger hospitals.
The group was from Acwsalcta School, an independent school operated by the Nuxalk Nation. British Columbia Emergency Health Services said crews arrived around 1:46 p.m. and deployed multiple ambulances and air support. RCMP officers and provincial conservation officers launched a search for the bear and warned residents to avoid the nearby river corridor while investigators documented the scene and interviewed witnesses.
Parents described a chaotic few minutes as children ran to the roadside and hid behind rocks and logs. “Teachers put themselves between the kids and the bear,” said Veronica Schooner, whose 10-year-old son escaped with scrapes after the animal barreled past. A male teacher who moved to the front of the line suffered severe injuries and was among those airlifted. Officials said seven others had minor wounds consistent with swipes and falls; some were treated and released in Bella Coola.
Conservation officers said the animal remained unaccounted for as of Friday morning. Trackers examined prints along the trail and near the river flats but could not confirm whether cubs were present. Investigators said they had not determined if food attractants or a surprise encounter triggered the charge. The Nuxalk Nation advised residents to stay indoors and keep away from the forest edge while officers patrolled the highway corridor and creek crossings used by bears moving to and from salmon streams.
Bella Coola’s geography funnels wildlife close to human activity. Trails cut through dense cedar and hemlock stands near salmon-bearing waters, especially in late fall. While bear sightings are routine, serious attacks remain rare on the Central Coast. Earlier this fall, a separate grizzly incident northeast of Prince George left one hiker dead after complications from injuries, underscoring a season of tense encounters across the province.
Officials said next steps include daylight grid searches with canine teams, DNA collection if hair is recovered, and a risk assessment to decide whether to trap or euthanize a specific bear. RCMP said they would release more information once family notifications were complete and medical conditions stabilized. Acwsalcta School closed Friday and arranged counseling for students and staff. Provincial agencies said a formal update was planned later Friday with additional details on the investigation.
By midday Friday, two patients remained in critical condition and two others in serious condition, health officials said. The community prepared a support gathering for families as officers kept patrols along the trailhead and river access points. Another update was expected in the afternoon.
Author note: Last updated November 21, 2025.