BURST
Authorities in Bella Coola are urging people to stay indoors after a grizzly bear attack Thursday left several students and a school staff member injured, two reportedly in critical condition.
The bear involved in the attack has not been found, and armed RCMP and B.C. Conservation Service Officers have responded to the scene, a forested river area on B.C.’s Central Coast, near 4 Mile Subdivision.
Police haven’t yet confirmed the number of injuries, but said they were “severe and serious.” The age of the victims hasn’t been confirmed either, with the police saying they were students from the area.
B.C. Emergency Health Services told several media outlets two people are in critical condition. Postmedia has asked BCEHS for more information.
The Nuxalk Acwsalcmalslayc Academy of Learning, a First Nations school that offers both elementary and high school education, issued a statement thanking everyone who helped during the attack. The statement did not disclose how many students were injured or what grade they are in but confirmed one of the victims was a staff member. A parent of a 10-year-old boy told The Canadian Press the students were in Grades 4 and 5.
The school thanked the staff, saying their “courage and professionalism made a tremendous difference in an incredibly challenging moment.”
The school said the students supported one another and listened to instructions during the “frightening” ordeal.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the students and staff member who were injured. We are holding them and their families close in our hearts, and we will continue to support them every step of the way. We also extend our care to all students who witnessed or were affected by the event; no one handles experiences like this alone, and we are committed to providing the emotional support and resources needed in the days and weeks ahead,” the school said.
The attack happened at about 1:30 p.m. and emergency crews were called out.
However bad weather forced B.C. Ambulance to call the Joint Rescue Centre in Victoria shortly before 3:30 p.m., requesting a medical evacuation regarding a bear attack in Bella Coola.
The JRCC said it sent the CC-925 Kingfisher and at 4 p.m. the CH-149 Cormorant from Comox.
“Due to inclement weather, both the Kingfisher and the Cormorant were unable to land in Bella Coola and were stood down at 9:30 p.m.,” the JRCC said in an email.
Posts on the Nuxalk Nation Chief and Council Facebook page have told people not to walk anywhere until the bear has been found. The Conservation Officer Service confirmed the animal was a grizzly bear.
“There has been a bear incident near 4 Mile. For the safety of all, please stay indoors, off the highway near the administration office, and off all trails,” Stutwiniitscw, Chief Samuel Schooner said in a post.
“First responders are on site along with healers. Please stay clear as they do their work.”
A post on the Nuxalk Nation Facebook page said a community bus would be looping between Townsite and 4 Mile on Thursday night and rides would be free.
B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service said an update will be provided once additional details have been confirmed.
Jayme Kennedy, chair of the Central Coast Regional District, posted a message of support for the Nuxalk Nation and everyone affected by the bear attack.
“We are all feeling devastation as we try to understand the magnitude of the attack and navigate what has happened. To all that were able to assist in any way, we would like to extend our thanks to you for providing the immediate support required.
Kennedy said the district will continue to share any updates provided by the Nuxalk Nation and assist where needed.
Bears can be aggressive and predatory at this time of year, as they try to boost their fat stores prior to hibernation.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation issued a statement Friday, saying that grizzly bear attacks have increased since B.C. banned hunting in 2017.
“With no hunting pressure, grizzlies and humans will increasingly occupy the same spaces with inevitable consequences,” said B.C. Wildlife Federation executive director Jesse Zeman, in the statement.
Zeman said members in the Creston area say they no longer feel safe walking outside due to the rising number of grizzly encounters.
According to the federation, grizzlies are the animal most likely to attack humans in B.C., which is home to 15,000 of Canada’s estimated 26,000 grizzly bears.
With files from Tiffany Crawford
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