Bear spray attack impacts children in Chilliwack park

CHILLIWACK — Mounties in Chilliwack say a bear spray attack one evening last week at Portage Park led to a series of reports of young children reporting irritation to their eyes and faces the next day.

Police say they were called to the park one evening when a man reported he was hit with bear spray by an attacker. The suspect made off with the man’s backpack and has not been found.

The next day, police say a number of children appeared to be exhibiting the symptoms and being hit with bear spray. Officers determined the irritation experienced by the children was likely caused by residual bear spray from the previous night.

At that point, police cordoned off the park and the affected area was flushed with water to wash away any remaining spray. Within a few hours, the impact on the children had passed with no reported lasting effects.