Canada searches for grizzly bear that attacked kids
Two people suffered 'critical' injuries and two were in 'serious' condition.
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Daily TribuneTwo people suffered 'critical' injuries and two were in 'serious' condition.
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Photograph courtesy of Olivier MORIN/AFP/AFP
MONTREAL (AFP) — Authorities were searching Friday for a grizzly bear that emerged from the forest in a remote part of Canada and attacked a group of 20 children and their teachers, critically injuring two people.
A total of four people remained in hospital a day after Thursday's attack in the Bella Coola area of Canada's western British Columbia province, provincial officials said.
The bear targeted children — aged nine and 10 — doing outdoor activities from the Acwsalcta school in Nuxalk First Nation.
Inspector Kevin Van Damme of the BC Conservation Officer Service told reporters that the teachers used bear spray to repel the attack and "put themselves in harm's way to protect the children."
"In my 34 years of experience, I have not seen a (bear) attack like this with such a large group of people," he said.
Two people suffered "critical" injuries and two were in "serious" condition, the Provincial Health Services Authority told Agence France-Presse in a statement.
Authorities have not disclosed the ages of those in hospital, citing family requests for privacy.
Seven other people received care at the scene but did not require hospitalization, the provincial authorities added.
Provincial environment minister Tamara Davidson said conservation officers were in the area "attempting to locate the bear."
