One teacher on crutches, a second adult with bear spray, and a third person who punched and kicked a grizzly despite serious injuries are being praised for their actions that saved a school group attacked by a bear near Bella Coola, B.C.

Four people, including children, were hospitalized Thursday after a bear attack on students and teachers from the Nuxwalk First Nation while out on a school trip, near Acwalcta School east of the remote community.

Seven others were treated on scene for their injuries.

“When the kids were getting attacked, one of my cousins who had his skull ripped, ran towards the bear and jumped on it with his bare hands,” said Noel Pootlass, a hereditary chief of the Nuxalk First Nation.

“He started punching and kicking it,” Pootlass told Global News on Saturday.

See Full Page