A grizzly bear unleashed an attack on a group of schoolchildren and educators along a walking trail in British Columbia, Canada, resulting in injuries to 11 individuals, two of whom are in critical condition.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in the town of Bella Coola, approximately 700 kilometers northwest of Vancouver. The Nuxalk Nation reported that the “aggressive bear” remained at large Thursday evening, prompting a response from both police and conservation officers.

“Officers are armed. Remain indoors and avoid the highway,” the First Nation advised through a social media announcement.

According to Brian Twaites, a spokesperson for Emergency Health Services, two of the injured individuals are in critical condition while two others sustained serious injuries. The remaining individuals received on-site medical attention.

Parent Veronica Schooner recounted that many attempted to intervene, but a male teacher bore the full force of the bear’s fury and was among those airlifted from the area.

Schooner’s son, Alvarez, a 10-year-old who was part of the combined fourth- and fifth-grade class targeted by the bear, was so near the creature that he “even felt its fur,” she shared.

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

She added that some children were hit with bear spray as the teachers fought off the bear and Alvarez was limping and his shoes muddy from running for safety. Her son’s thoughts, however, were with his classmates.

“He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends,” she added.

Acwsalcta School, an independent school run by Nuxalk First Nation in Bella Coola, said in a Facebook post that the school will be closed on Friday and counseling made available.

“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.