Canada- Grizzly bear attacks elementary class injuring 11, some critically, Bella Coola, B.C., 20 November, 2025

[dotr]

Pupils flee as grizzly attacks elementary class in B.C., injuring 11, some critically

North District RCMP Cpl. Madonna Saunderson described the victims' injuries as "very serious at the very least."

www.thestar.com

Nov. 21,2025

This Aug. 12, 2009 photo shows a grizzly bear travelling across the Porcupine River Tundra in the Yukon Territories, Canada.
Rick Bowmer The Associated Press

''A grizzly bear has attacked a group of elementary school students and teachers in the B.C. central coast community of Bella Coola, leaving two people critically injured and two others seriously hurt.
B.C. Emergency Health Services said seven more people were treated at the scene of the attack in the community about 700 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, which was called in just before 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Veronica Schooner said her 10-year-old son Alvarez was in the Year 4-5 class that was attacked while on a walk and was so close to the animal “he even felt its fur.”
“He was running for his life,” she said.
Schooner said a lot of people tried to halt the attack but one male teacher “got the whole brunt of it” and was among the people taken by helicopter from the scene.''

 

[dotr]

Multiple school children critically injured in grizzly bear attack

One male teacher is said to have ‘got the brunt’ of the injuries, though one parent revealed how the incident left her son ‘traumatized’

www.independent.co.uk

open image in gallery
The community of Bella Coola is located around 600 miles north of Vancouver (Wikimedia)
''Authorities have also said that the “aggressive bear” responsible for the attack is still at large, but have also warned members of the public not to go hunting it''

''The grandparent of another victim said that the child required around 100 stitches as a result of the incident and will still need to be transported to another facility for further treatment.

"He was running for his life," she said. The mother referred to her son as a “little soccer star” who was limping so badly she feared he might never play again. “He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends, right? Because everything was so uncertain.” On Facebook, Schooner posted a photo of her son’s torn sneakers in the wake of the attack.''

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/several-people-injured-grizzly-attack-bella-coola-9.6987235

''In a statement posted on Facebook, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) said conservation officers are on scene with RCMP and have ordered residents to stay out of the forested and river area near the 4 Mile area until further notice.

A Facebook post from Acwsalcta School — an independent school run by the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola, which is about 420 kilometres northwest of Vancouver as the crow flies — says the incident involved members of its school community. The school announced it will be closed Friday due to “the bear incident.”

“It’s hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students,” the post said.'

 

[dotr]

Grandmother shares photos of young girl mauled by grizzly bear

A young girl is in the hospital with 100 stitches after a grizzly bear attacked her on a school trip in Canada.

www.dailymail.co.uk

''A devastated grandmother shared photos of her young granddaughter in the hospital after a grizzly bear attacked her on a school trip in Canada.

The group of students and teachers was on a walk in Bella Coola, northwest of Vancouver, on Thursday when the bear attack took place.

At least 11 people were injured, including two who are in critical condition and two who are considered seriously injured.

Hzita Brown Mack confirmed on Facebook that her granddaughter is one of the victims.''

''My heart shattered to see what the bear had done to her little body,' Mack wrote.

The grandmother posted photos of the young girl in the hospital and thanked the staff for preparing her for transfer to another medical facility.

'She had approximately 100 stitches/sutures to close all her wounds so that she can be transferred safely,' she wrote.''

'The ages and genders of the injured students are currently unknown. Police corporal Madonna Saunderson described their injuries as 'very serious at the very least.'

 

[nao]

Moo....there were 20 people in the group, very unusual for a bear to go after a group of people. I live in bc just a ferry ride from the mainland and Vancouver. We had a grizzly this summer...it was relocated. Definitely causing a lot divided opinions down here about grizzlies and how to deal with their growing population....moo

 

[Tealgrove]

Was it a mama bear and felt threatened?

The school should have been better prepared. Bear Spray?

 

[nao]

Was it a mama bear and felt threatened?

The school should have been better prepared. Bear Spray?

Moo...they had bear spray, 2 cans they emptied on it. The salmon are still around so the bears are still feasting. They have been having a lot of bear tourism up there, so the bears are used to people and less afraid. The school did nothing wrong they are very bear aware up there....moo
Sorry mods I live fairly close so it is the main topic on local fbs right now.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1991964847001538890

 

[Lusitana]

Oh man, so scary. Hope everyone recovers!

 

[nao]

https://www.coastreporter.net/animal-stories/texada-grizzly-same-bear-spotted-in-sechelt-and-gibsons-in-2024-10811237

This is story of local grizzly. The bear was shot by locals eventually which was illegal....so yea grizzlies are pretty controversial on the coast.

 

[LunaticFringe]

Bless their hearts. How terrifying!

 

[Serononin]

That sounds absolutely terrifying, I hope all the injured make a full recovery

 

[dotr]

rbbm

Bear emerged from forest to attack school group having lunch: B.C. conservation - BC News

UPDATE 11 a.m. British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service says a grizzly attack on a group of school students happened when the bear emerged from the forest as pupils and teachers were having lunch on a trail in the coastal community of Bella Coola.

www.castanet.net

''British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service says a grizzly attack on a group of school students happened when the bear emerged from the forest as pupils and teachers were having lunch on a trail in the coastal community of Bella Coola.

The service says multiple teachers "physically intervened" in the attack and used bear spray and a bear banger to drive the grizzly away.''

''The service says a preliminary investigation suggests the bear may have previously been injured and it's asking community members to avoid the forested area and river near the area of the attack.''

Nov 21, 2025 #GlobalNews
A horrific bear attack that sent four people to the hospital, including three young children, is sending shockwaves through a small town in north central B.C.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/grizzly-attacks-schoolchildren-and-teachers-on-a-walking-trail-in-canada-injuring-11/

 

[Little Jack]

Brave teachers ... heartbreaking, they were just having a picnic

 

[seasideForest]

Brave teachers ... heartbreaking, they were just having a picnic

I don't know about 'just having a picnic'. It might not have been the best idea to have a picnic on their walk. It is bear territory and bears would be attracted to food. Otoh most of BC is bear territory and bear attacks are not that common. I'm sure more children die in road accidents than bear attacks and nobody would suggest children shouldn't be bussed anywhere as part of a school trip.

But yes, brave teachers, especially presumably the one who threw himself at the bear. And a sad outcome for a field trip.

Sending healing vibes to all the injured and their families, and to the community.

MOO

 

[Dotta]

I don't know about 'just having a picnic'. It might not have been the best idea to have a picnic on their walk. It is bear territory and bears would be attracted to food. Otoh most of BC is bear territory and bear attacks are not that common. I'm sure more children die in road accidents than bear attacks and nobody would suggest children shouldn't be bussed anywhere as part of a school trip.

But yes, brave teachers, especially presumably the one who threw himself at the bear. And a sad outcome for a field trip.

Sending healing vibes to all the injured and their families, and to the community.

MOO

Exactly my thoughts re
"having a picnic" on bear territory.

My best wishes for healing to all victims

 

[dotr]

Teams work through the night in search of bear after B.C. attack

British Columbia conservation officers are continuing to look for the grizzly bear responsible for attacking an elementary school group, as the First Nation has starting raising money to support those who were injured.

www.cp24.com

''An update from B.C. Conservation Officer Service on Sunday said the search around Bella Coola for the female and two young bears includes an RCMP aircraft with thermal imaging cameras.

“We continue to work collaboratively with the Nuxalk Nation to share updates and provide support as needed,” Insp. Kevin Van Damme said in the statement.

“We also again urge people to not join in search efforts themselves, due to the public safety risk.”

 

[tlcya]

just so dang sad. nature can be beautiful and beastly. I feel for everyone affected by this tragedy.

 

[PrairieWind]

I don't know about 'just having a picnic'. It might not have been the best idea to have a picnic on their walk. It is bear territory and bears would be attracted to food. Otoh most of BC is bear territory and bear attacks are not that common. I'm sure more children die in road accidents than bear attacks and nobody would suggest children shouldn't be bussed anywhere as part of a school trip.

But yes, brave teachers, especially presumably the one who threw himself at the bear. And a sad outcome for a field trip.

Sending healing vibes to all the injured and their families, and to the community.

MOO

I'd love to hear what led up to the attack. We might not get any more info, but it would be interesting. But the reality is that grizzly bears are unpredictable. Sure, all bears can be, but with black bears, if you don't surprise them, they tend to keep distance. Even if you do surprise one or even a momma with cubs, usually they will attack and quickly disengage. But a grizzly is different and are aggressive.

 

[Little Jack]

I bow to those with knowledge of living in bear country's judgement. I assumed the class was on a marked trail and eating in a designated picnic area. but maybe there is no such thing in a region where bears are moving into new areas and acting more fearlessly of humans.

I cant imagine the trauma of all these kids and again im so impressed with the teachers literally taking on a bear to save their students.

Hats off to everyone who lives in bear country, they scare the wits out of me.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1993078526367469753