New Details Revealed About Grizzly Bear Attack That Left 3 Students and 1 Teacher Injured By Abigail Adams

New details are being revealed about the grizzly bear attack involving a group of teachers and students in Canada.

At 1:46 p.m. local time on Thursday, Nov. 20, the BC Emergency Health Services received a call about an “animal attack” on a trail near Highway 20 in Bella Coola on British Columbia’s Central Coast, the Provincial Health Services Authority confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement.

“The victims were part of a school group of students and teachers having lunch along a trail near the river when a grizzly bear emerged from the forest and attacked,” officials added in an update. “Multiple teachers physically intervened, using bear spray and a bear banger, to drive the bear away.”

Authorities added that all of the victims were “with medical professionals at this time” and that efforts to capture the bear remained ongoing.

Three children and one adult were injured in the attack, Inspector Kevin Van Damme confirmed in a video update.

“Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to four patients and transported them to hospital. Two patients were in critical condition and two were in serious condition,” the Provincial Health Services Authority said in a statement, noting that an addition seven people received treatment at the scene.

The injured individuals were treated at Bella Coola Hospital “and are being transported to Vancouver for further care,” according to Van Damme.

“Our thoughts are with the victim[s] and their families,” Van Damme added. “We wish them a full and speedy recovery.” 

When reached for comment by PEOPLE, the Provincial Health Services Authority confirmed that “four patients remain in hospital.”

“Their families have asked for privacy and that we refrain from sharing details about their conditions at this time,” they added.

In a separate statement, officials with Acwsalcta School, a pre-K-12 school run by the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola, expressed their “deepest gratitude to the students, staff, families, emergency responders, and community members who demonstrated extraordinary strength and compassion” during the “unexpected incident.”

The the Nuxalk Acwsalcmalslayc Academy of Learning Board of Directors (NAALS Board) also applauded students for supporting their peers in wake of the incident, as well as school staff for their “swift actions, calm leadership, and unwavering dedication to protecting and supporting our students.”

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“Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the students and staff member who were injured. We are holding them and their families close in our hearts, and we will continue to support them every step of the way,” the board said, in part.

“We also extend our care to all students who witnessed or were affected by the event,” they added, “no one handles experiences like this alone, and we are committed to providing the emotional support and resources needed in the days and weeks ahead.”

Although the bear involved in the attack “has not been located at this time,” Van Damme said on Friday that “preliminary information suggests the bear may have been previously injured.”

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In the meantime, members of the public are being asked to “avoid the 4 Mile area and remain indoors until further notice.” 

Anyone with information about bear sightings in Bella Coola are being asked to call 1-877-952-7277.