Grizzly bear attacks primary school children and teacher

A grizzly bear attacked a group of elementary school students and teachers in Canada, leaving 11 people injured.

Two were critically injured and two seriously hurt following the attack while a class was out on a walk in Bella Coola, northwest of Vancouver. 

Veronica Schooner said her ten-year-old son Alvarez, who was in the Year 4-5 group, was so close to the animal 'he even felt its fur.'

'He was running for his life,' she told local media.

Ms Schooner said several people attempted 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.

Two ambulances were also called to Acwsalcta School on Thursday.

'Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to four patients and transported them to hospital,' health services spokesman Brian Twaites said.

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.'

She added that Alvarez was left 'traumatized' by the attack on his friends, and three children were among those with major injuries, although officials have not officially confirmed the ages of any of the victims.

'He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else,' said Ms Schooner.

She said that when she picked up Alvarez, he was 'in shock,' and his shoes were covered in mud from his ordeal.

'Everybody was in shock at the school. A lot of people were crying, and I don't know, I just wanted my son, and I grabbed him, and then I took him home.'

Bella Coola authorities said Thursday evening that the 'aggressive bear' remained on the loose, and that police and conservation officers were on the scene.

'Officers are armed. Remain indoors and off the highway,' the First Nation said in a social media post.

Ms Schooner also said that some residents were guarding roads around the community.

Jayme Kennedy, the chairman of the Central Coast Regional District, said she was sending 'heartfelt support to the Nuxalk Nation' and all who have been 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.'

She said the regional district would be available to help in any way it could.

Acwsalcta School said in a Facebook post that the school will be closed on 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.