New Details Revealed About Grizzly Bear Attack That Left 3 Students and 1 Teacher Injured

New details continue to emerge after a grizzly bear attacked a group of teachers and students in Canada.

At 1:46 p.m. local time on Thursday, Nov. 20, BC Emergency Health Services received a call reporting an animal attack on a trail near Highway 20 in Bella Coola on British Columbia’s Central Coast, officials said in a statement.

According to authorities, the victims were part of a school outing. The group had stopped for lunch along a riverside trail when a grizzly emerged from the forest and attacked. Multiple teachers intervened, using bear spray and a bear banger to force the animal to retreat.

Officials said all of the victims were receiving care from medical professionals and that efforts to locate and capture the bear were still underway.

Inspector Kevin Van Damme confirmed that three children and one adult were injured. Paramedics treated four patients at the scene before taking them to the hospital. Two were listed in critical condition and two in serious condition, authorities said. An additional seven people were evaluated and treated on-site.

The injured were first taken to Bella Coola Hospital and are being transferred to Vancouver for further treatment, Van Damme said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he added. “We wish them a full and speedy recovery.”

Health officials later confirmed that four patients remained hospitalized. They added that families have requested privacy and asked that no further details about the patients’ conditions be shared at this time.

In a separate statement, leaders from Acwsalcta School — a pre-K–12 school operated by the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola — expressed deep gratitude to students, staff, families, emergency responders, and community members for their strength and support during the incident.

The Nuxalk Acwsalcmalslayc Academy of Learning Board of Directors also praised students for helping one another in the aftermath, and commended staff for their quick response and steady leadership in protecting the children.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the students and staff member who were injured,” the board said in part. “We are holding them and their families close in our hearts, and we will continue to support them every step of the way.”

They added that support will also be provided to students who witnessed the attack, emphasizing that no one should face such a traumatic event alone.

Van Damme said Friday that the bear has not yet been located, but preliminary information suggests it may have been previously injured.

For now, residents and visitors are being urged to avoid the 4 Mile area and remain indoors until further notice. Anyone who sees a bear in or around Bella Coola is asked to call 1-877-952-7277.