A whale-watching company says one of its vessels made contact with a humpback whale that “suddenly and unexpectedly surfaced” in its path while transiting near Vancouver on Thursday afternoon.

A statement from the company, Prince of Whales, said its vessel undertook a “decisive” manoeuvre to avoid the animal. It was able to stop almost immediately, but “there was minimal contact with the whale” during the manoeuvre.

“We were not actively viewing the whale, so this was a surprise encounter,” reads the statement.

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It went on to say several passengers aboard the vessel fell as it tried to stop suddenly and “a handful were injured.”

B.C. Emergency Health Services said paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to four patients

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