Pupils evacuated after carbon monoxide scare

Nov 15 2006 By The Journal

More than 150 schoolchildren had to be evacuated from a North primary school yesterday after a carbon monoxide scare.

A total of 25 children, aged nine and 10, and one teacher were taken to hospital after the gas leaked into a classroom at Crookhill Primary School in Ryton, Gateshead.

They were taken to Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Newcastle General Hospital and South Tyneside District General Hospital.

Fifteen pupils were taken to Newcastle General Hospital where four of the children remained last night for observation.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust A&E consultant Bob Jarman said: "Eight children and their teacher were found to have raised levels of carbon monoxide and are currently being treated with oxygen.

"However the levels of carbon monoxide measured are not thought to be worrying and their condition is being monitored."

Staff said the children began to complain of feeling sick at about 11.30am, and the decision to evacuate the rest of the school was taken on the advice of the fire brigade.

Head teacher Louise Easton said: "We became aware of a problem at approximately 11.30 and immediately evacuated the classroom and alerted emergency services.

"A number of children and their teacher from one class felt ill and were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. Parents of all children have been and are being informed, and school has been closed. It will also remain closed tomorrow."

Brenda Coulson was called to pick up grandchildren Lewis, five, and 10-year-old Rachel at about 12.45pm. Ms Coulson, of Crawcrook, Gateshead, said: "I got to the school and there were firefighters, police and ambulances there.

"All the ambulances were full of children crying. It was pretty scary, at that time we didn't know what was going on."

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said an investigation is ongoing into how the incident occurred.