Two children and an adult were rushed to hospital while many others were left unwell after a carbon monoxide leak at Martins Wood Primary School in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, said the ambulance service
Two children and an adult were rushed to hospital after a carbon monoxide leak at a school left 15 people unwell.
Emergency services were called to Martins Wood Primary School in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, at about 1pm on Wednesday. An ambulance service spokesman said they responded to reports of “a number of children and adults becoming unwell due to a suspected carbon monoxide leak” at the Mildmay Road school.
The East of England Ambulance Service Trust said that there were a total of 15 people who were left unwell following the incident and advice has been given to parents in case their children start feeling ill. There have been two children and an adult who were taken to the Lister Hospital for further assessment.
While some parents praised the response by the school, others were critical and felt it was handled badly. One person wrote on Facebook: “Well my child definitely wasn’t calm she reached me and burst out cried scared and worried seeing her friend faint in the dinner hall and seeing teachers become poorly on the field!
“Nor was she checked every 15mins as per the information from the police officers but was asked as a group if anyone had symptoms… lovely to find out the reason of the incident by others (…) embarrassing. Not to mention the parents who turned up at home time for children to face the scene not knowing what was going on or that there was a incident at all.”
Another person wrote an hour ago: “Having been now ‘hours’ since the incident, do you think it would be a good idea to share with parents possible symptoms to look out for? My son wasn’t checked over along with many other students. Martins Wood Primary School.”
But there were many others who were appreciative of the response. “Thanks to everyone for managing what I’m sure was a very challenging situation,” read one comment and another stated: “Yes, echoing the above, thank you for keeping the children safe and calm.”
The East of England Ambulance Service Trust statement read: “We were called just after 1pm today [Wednesday 12 June] to Martins Wood Primary School in Mildmay Road in Stevenage. This followed reports of a number of children and adults becoming unwell due to a suspected carbon monoxide leak.
“A total of 15 patients were assessed at the scene – six adults and nine children. One adult and two children have been taken to the Lister Hospital by ambulance for further assessment. We have given advice to parents on what they should do if their child feels unwell later. If parents have any concerns about their children’s condition following today’s incident, please call 111.
“Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are carrying out checks on the site but believe they have isolated the fault. Hertfordshire Constabulary sent local officers to the scene and Mildmay Road and Derby Way were closed at around 2.04pm to allow emergency service workers to get to the scene and were lifted at 4.16pm. Police thank motorists and parents for their patience while emergency services dealt with the incident.”
Martins Wood Primary School wrote on Facebook: “There has been an incident at Martins Wood Primary School where the emergency services have been called and are currently investigating. All children are safe but are not at present allowed to leave the site. Further update will be given when available.” And a later statement added: “Thank you for your co-operation and understanding, we will be sending out further information via Parentmail.”
Hertfordshire Police said: “Hertfordshire Constabulary sent local officers to the scene and Mildmay Road and Derby Way were closed at around 2.04pm to allow emergency service workers to get to the scene and were lifted at 4.16pm. Police thank motorists for their patience while emergency services dealt with the incident.” (Mirror)