Grizzly bear attacks school group in Canada, injuring 11

A grizzly bear is on the loose after attacking a school group in Canada, injuring 11 people, two of them seriously.

The incident happened Thursday afternoon on a walking trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia.

Residents were warned to stay indoors while armed police tried to track the animal. The British Columbia Health Services Authority said four people were still in hospital as of Friday afternoon.

Parent Veronica Schooner told The Canadian Press that a male teacher “felt the brunt” of some of the children being hit with bear spray as adults tried to fend off the animal.

Ms Schooner said her 10-year-old son was part of a school group but he was not attacked.

“He said the bear was running so close to him but it was chasing someone else,” she said, adding that “he even felt its fur.”

British Columbia Emergency Health Services said in a statement to the BBC that two people were seriously injured, two others were seriously injured, and seven others were treated at the scene.

Officials said patients had to be flown to a nearby airport so they could be airlifted to the nearest hospital.

The group came from Acwsalcta School, a school run by the indigenous Nuxalk Nation in a town 700 kilometers (435 miles) northwest of Vancouver.

“The police were heavily armed,” El Pais wrote on Facebook. “Stay indoors and off the highways.”

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

State officials temporarily closed schools and provided counseling services.